Carrying On a Deep-Sea Explorer’s Legacy

Ep53:Jenn SellittiJenn is a criminal defence attorney and deep-sea shipwreck explorer and leader of Atlantic Wreck Salvage. She shares how her passion for history—not the ocean—pulled her into the world of deep-sea exploration, where she helps uncover and preserve stories hidden within historic shipwrecks.Following the recent loss of her partner and founder of the organisation, Joe Mazraani, Jenn has stepped into a leadership role, navigating both the emotional weight and operational challenges of continuing their shared mission. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at life aboard their salvage vessel - DV Tenacious, the technology used to locate wrecks, and the realities of artifact recovery.The conversation dives into the ethics of salvage vs. preservation, the limitations of museums, and why recovering artifacts from the North Atlantic is often a race against time. Jenn also opens up about the dangers of deep diving, the psychology of explorers, and why, despite not loving the water itself, she’s deeply committed to the stories it holds.Key TakeawaysShipwrecks are human stories – Every wreck represents lives, histories, and untold narratives—not just debris on the ocean floor.Passion over profit – Most deep-sea salvage (in this case) is driven by curiosity and historical preservation, not money.Leadership through adversity – Jen’s transition into leadership came suddenly after personal loss, highlighting resilience and purpose.Technology meets patience – Tools like side-scan sonar require long, methodical “mowing the lawn” searches with no guarantees.Artifacts are at risk – Natural forces and human activity can destroy wrecks, making recovery time-sensitive.Museums aren’t always the solution – Many won’t accept salvaged artifacts, creating a gap between discovery and public access.Diving is both technical and mental – For some, it’s meditation; for others (like Jen), it’s a means to an end.Risk is ever-present – Deep dives involve complex systems like rebreathers and require rigorous safety protocols.https://dvtenacious.com/🎬 Chapters00:00 – Intro: Lawyer Turned Deep-Sea Shipwreck Explorer03:45 – The Real Reason She Got Into Shipwrecks (It’s Not the Ocean)08:20 – Discovering Lost Ships Through History & DNA Research13:10 – The Story Behind Atlantic Wreck Salvage17:45 – Losing Joe & Stepping Into Leadership23:30 – Carrying On a Deep-Sea Explorer’s Legacy28:10 – Inside a 20-Person Shipwreck Exploration Team32:40 – How They Actually Find Shipwrecks (Sonar Explained)38:15 – “Mowing the Ocean” for 16 Hours Straight43:50 – What They’ve Found Underwater (Artifacts & Surprises)49:30 – Why Museums REFUSE Shipwreck Artifacts55:10 – Should We Leave Shipwrecks Alone or Recover Them?01:00:40 – Life on a Deep-Sea Expedition (Day in the Life)01:07:20 – Diving the Andrea Doria: The ‘Disneyland’ of Wrecks01:14:10 – The Dangers of Deep Diving (Gear, Risk & Survival)01:21:30 – Why She’s Still Afraid of the Ocean (But Keeps Diving)Hopefully you're enjoying DeckTales so far. If so, please do smash that like button, share your favourite episodes with your friends, and subscribe of course!To see clips of all our guests you can follow us on:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/decktalesofficialInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/decktalespodcast.TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@decktalesFor all links you can head to the official website:https://www.decktales.co.ukIf you wish to support the page you can leave a welcome donation at:https://ko-fi.com/decktalesAnd if you wish to read or listen to my first book, you can buy a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seems-Like-Smooth-Sailing-Catling/dp/1912964244Special Thanks To:Tom Hunt @teghuntDan Smith https://www.elephantmedia.coGet Your Copy Of 'Seems Like Smooth Sailing' here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.