A 22-year-old man from Ponte Vedra died in a tragic diving accident near a shipwreck off the coast of Mayport, officials said.

Nick Fox, who was set to graduate from the University of North Florida with a business degree in May, passed away on Monday.

The U.S. Coast Guard said they received a distress call from the Casablanca deepwater wreck, located about 30 miles from Mayport. A rescue boat and a helicopter from Savannah were sent to help, but Fox was pronounced dead after being brought to shore just after noon.

“Though his life was taken too soon, Nicholas’s legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew him,” his obituary said. “His laughter, kindness, and love for life will always be remembered.”

Fox graduated from Fletcher High School in 2021 and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at UNF.

“Nicholas treasured family time,” the obituary continued. “Whether it was fishing trips, family vacations, relaxing on the beach, or making memories at home, his family will always remember the warmth he brought to every moment.”

He played several sports, including baseball, football, and tennis.

Growing up in a boating family, Fox had a strong love for the ocean.

“As he got older, his passion for the water grew, and he became an experienced diver and spear-fisher,” the obituary said. “He often joked with a smile that he was better than his father.”

A memorial service will take place at Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra on December 3, 2024, at 3:00 PM. A celebration of life will follow at his family’s home from 4:30 to 8:30 PM.

Instead of flowers, the family asks for donations to a charity that supports dive safety in Fox’s honor.