Massachusetts Public Safety Divers Association

02/18/2026

Another shame…..

A toddler has died after falling through ice into a freezing pond in Henrico County, Virginia, on Monday, Jan. 26. A man was also treated for possible hypothermia following the incident, police said.

02/03/2026

Police from Mount Holly, NJ rescue teenagers who fell through the ice in fairly shallow water and the kids are still having difficulty walking through the ice. Imagine how difficult it would have been if they were fully in the water. Good job, guys!

Body camera footage shows the moment police rescued three teenagers who fell through ice in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

02/03/2026

IF you see someone has fallen through the ice here are some things you can do to help them. First and foremost, DO NOT GO IN THE WATER OR OUT ON THE ICE! The ice has already claimed one victim, don't add to the count. Obviously, if you have been trained and have the proper equipment with you, by all means, notify 911 FIRST, and then head out.

Use the rule of Reach, Throw, Go. If you can reach them with a pole, pushing out a board, grabbing a tree branch, do it! If that does not work because either the victim has lost dexterity or nothing reaches them, throw a rope or something that floats to help them stay above the water. In this case, if that does not work, GO FOR HELP, which includes a call to 911 again to let them know what you have already done and that will tell them what they need to bring.

Make sure that you mark where you were standing if the person goes under. If initial responders come with a boat and break up the ice, they will need you to go back to that location and point them to exactly where the person went down. Don't forget the principle of Cold-Water Near Drowning. A person can last underwater under certain circumstances for about an hour, so don't leave. Wait for the first responders. Help them to help the victim.

Do not become another victim.

02/03/2026

Three brothers die falling through ice while mother tries to help but learns quickly how fast you become debilitated and unable to help anyone, including yourself.

Three young brothers have died after falling through a frozen pond in Texas after their mom tried to save them.

02/03/2026

Winter is here, in earnest, more than it has been in several years. PLEASE, watch out for kids out on the ice. Yes, it is cold enough for ice to form, and snow can insulate really good ice, but will hide and deteriorate ice if it is not fully locked in. We have had several fatalities this winter already. Make sure the ice has been tested before getting out there. I called some kids off the ice in New Bedford one time and asked how they knew the ice was safe. They told me they saw squirrels running across it! They believed it! Another group on another day, told me they threw rocks out there. In both cases the ice was attached to the shore but about 40'-50' off the shore was open water!

Stay off the ice! The following picture is only applicable to solid, clear, ice that formed over days AND nights of below freezing and relatively windless weather.

08/05/2025

I remember a similar case off the North Shore years ago when a boat ended up running into the cable between a tug and tow and the boat was upside down, being supported alongside the barge. Loss of life in that one also. This one, the boat (a catamaran) ended up under the barge. Very sad ending. Two children dead, 2 in critical condition. Please send your prayers along for them.

According to Coast Guard Sector Miami, the sailboat—with five children and an adult counselor on board—sank after being hit by the barge.

08/05/2025

Local case to us.

A 77-year-old Acushnet man, Wayne Silveira, died after being pulled from the water near a Fairhaven boat ramp.

08/05/2025

Some of you may know or know of this gentleman. Rest in Peace, Captain Joe Mazraani.
https://www.facebook.com/share/14F5ygJxkHn/?mibextid=wwXIfr

With profound sadness and an indescribable sense of loss, we share with our community that Captain Joe Mazraani has left this world. Joe died on July 29, 2025, in a diving-related incident. While we are choosing to keep the details private, we currently have no reason to suspect diver error or equipment failure. All indications point to a medical emergency. Of course, the full investigation is ongoing. The incident occurred approximately 200 miles offshore, on the eastern edge of Georges Bank, during a dive to a shipwreck the team called The Big Engine Steamer.

We cannot—and will not—try to sum up Joe’s extraordinary life in a single Facebook post. There will be more complete tributes to come.

For now, we’ll simply say this: Joe Mazraani was larger than life. He was kind, compassionate, and generous. A mentor and a student, a friend, brother, son, and partner. Whether motoring aboard D/V Tenacious, diving into deep and dangerous water, or defending his clients in court, Joe demanded the best of everyone around him. Sometimes he demanded it grumpily—but he always demanded by example.

I loved Joe fiercely, and he loved me back just the same. We were partners in everything—especially this.

Some will say exploration like this is not worth the risk. If viewed in isolation, perhaps it isn’t. But this wasn’t just a dive. It was our way of life. Joe understood better than anyone that life offers no guarantees. He lived every moment fully, without compromise. He did not want to die doing what he loved—none of us do. He wanted to survive it, to grow old doing it. But when you live at the edge, sometimes the edge pushes back.

This loss is still too raw for us to make any decisions about the future of D/V Tenacious. For now, we’re keeping this page and the website open—because they chronicle not just Joe, but our crew and our adventures over the last fifteen years. And, though we don’t yet know exactly how, this space will be part of how we carry forward Joe’s work and legacy.

The photo below is one of the last taken of Joe. It’s him on the bow of D/V Tenacious, his happiest place. It is important to remember that this is exactly where he wanted to be: 200 miles from shore; the ocean smooth as glass; and people he loved right out there with him.

Remember him this way.

Out of respect for Joe, for those closest to him, and for our own process of grieving, we are turning off comments on this post. We know many of you will want to share your love, memories, and condolences, and, in time, we provide an opportunity. For now, please know that your support has always and continues to mean the world to us.

Jenn Sellitti on behalf of Atlantic Wreck Salvage and D/V Tenacious

05/16/2025

https://www.facebook.com/100064673984561/posts/1141776537988135/?app=fbl

This sad case is exactly the reason that when I developed the SOPs for the New Bedford Dive team, I added a section that any boss could order the team not to go into the water to perform a rescue or recovery However (s)he had to put it on paper in an officiall PD report form why they were taking that responsibility away from the dive team leader and that they were assuming the responsibility for the possible loss of life that resulted.

However, the other half of that rule was that NO ONE, from POTUS on down through the governor to the chief of the department and even the dive team leader, could order a diver INTO the water. The dive/no dive decision is an informed decision made by the diver himself or herself based on training, experience, present medical condition, and their confidence in their equipment.

In this case, the governor came to the scene and ordered the divers into the water after they had assessed that the conditions were such that there was an extreme possibility of loss of life. And as It turned out, it cost this VSP diver everything. The entire dive community was horrified when it happened and It still saddens us all to this day.

Make sure that this rule is in your SOPs

God bless this trooper and his family, teammates, friends, and all who continue to do this work.

Today marks the anniversary of the line-of-duty death of VSP Sergeant Gary Gaboury. A member of our Underwater Recovery Team (formerly SCUBA), Sergeant Gaboury was killed during a recovery operation in Huntington Gorge on May 12th, 1992. Please join us in remembering Gary and his family today.

04/05/2025

Gotta love the ice rescues especially at the beginning and the end of ice season. Here is a great rescue by USCG of 21 fisherman whose ice fishing turned into an ice floe ride. They started drifting away from shore. All were rescued but it doesn't say how many, if any, lost vehicles in the process. That happens very often. So, if you're going ice fishing, leave the truck or ATV on the shore! You might also want to have a wearable PFD (Personal Flotation Device) jacket or something similar while on the ice. You just never know!!!

Multiple groups of people fishing on Lake Erie were stranded on an ice floe when it disconnected and began floating away. U.S. Coast Guard Pilot Lt. Rachel McGhee explains how the rescue operation unfolded.

03/30/2025

Interesting story. Drones are beginning to be used for water rescues. Stay tuned! Changes are coming.

FAA Enhances Support For Public Safety Drone Operations

SNAPSHOT: The FAA is advancing public safety drone operations with new waivers and restrictions, streamlining processes for emergency responders.
Why it matters: With drones becoming crucial in emergency scenarios, the FAA's updates aim to improve efficiency and safety for first responders.
• New waivers and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) facilitate quicker access to essential airspace.
The latest: At the DRONERESPONDERS 2025 National Public Safety UAS Conference (NACON), the FAA introduced the Public Safety Organization Shielded Operations Waiver and Tactical Beyond Visual Line of Sight (TBVLOS) waivers, reducing application times significantly.
• These updates allow public safety agencies to conduct critical missions with fewer operational restrictions.
What’s next: The FAA plans to automate regulatory processes to further streamline approvals, enhancing the integration of drones in public safety strategies.
• Agencies are encouraged to leverage FAA resources and submit applications early to maximize operational efficiency.
SOURCE: AutonomyGlobal.co

03/30/2025

Police Drone Helps Rescue Three Deer that Fell Through Thin Ice at Wisconsin Lake

SNAPSHOT: In Green Lake, Wisconsin, a police drone played a critical role in rescuing three deer trapped on thin ice by guiding them to safety.
Why it matters: This unconventional use of drone technology showcases its potential beyond traditional emergency response, highlighting innovative conservation efforts.
• Drones can serve as versatile tools in wildlife management, providing non-intrusive assistance.
The latest: Operated by the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the drone acted like a sheepdog, coaxing the deer through broken ice to shore.
• Two deer were successfully herded, while the third required additional guidance and was eventually hoisted to safety.
What they’re saying: The operation demonstrates the adaptability of drones, even in challenging weather conditions, underscoring their growing role in public safety and environmental conservation efforts.
SOURCE: NBCMiami.com