Search teams are in a race against time to find a submersible that went missing during a dive to the Titanic’s wreck on Sunday.
The submersible lost contact during its dive on Sunday, after about an hour and 45 minutes. Search teams are currently and urgently looking for the vessel, but there have been no indications of its whereabouts so far. According to the firm’s website, the Titan has “life support” for only 96 hours.
The expedition was organized by OceanGate Expeditions, and the cost for the eight-day trip, which includes dives to the wreck at a depth of 3,800m, was $250,000 per person. It’s no surprise that the five guests on the submarine are wealthy enough to afford the cost, but who are they?
How Many People Are On the Titanic Submarine?
There are reportedly five passengers on the subversive.
Hamish Harding
Hamish Harding, 58, is the chairman of Action Aviation, an aircraft company, and his impressive achievements include venturing into space, as well as holding three Guinness World Records, including one for the longest duration at full ocean depth diving to the deepest part of the Mariana Trench.
He is a private jet dealer and the chair of the Middle East chapter of the Explorers Club. He has gone to the South Pole on multiple occasions, once with former US astronaut Buzz Aldrin. In 2022, he went on a spaceflight as part of Blue Origin’s fifth human-crewed mission.
Mr. Harding informed the Business Aviation Magazine that the initial plan was for the journey to occur in June 2022. However, due to an unfortunate incident involving no injuries but damage to the submersible during a previous dive, the expedition was postponed.
When asked about his enthusiasm for exploration, he stated, “My approach is that these risks are carefully calculated and thoroughly understood before undertaking any endeavor. It’s worth noting that I don’t actively seek out these opportunities; they tend to come my way, and I simply continue to embrace them.”
Mr. Harding announced on social media when the ship had departed from St. John’s in Newfoundland, Canada, on the mission to the Titanic wreck.
Retired NASA astronaut Terry Virts, speaking on the BBC’s Newshour program, emphasized that Mr. Harding possesses the ability to effectively manage emergency situations.
Shahzada and Suleman Dawood
Shahzada Dawood, 48, is a British businessman who hails from one of Pakistan’s wealthiest families, is accompanied by his son, Suleman, 19, on the submarine.
The senior Dawood is a trustee of the SETI Institute, a non-profit research organization based in California whose purpose is to search for life beyond Earth. He also holds the position of vice-chairman at Engro Corporation, a prominent Pakistani conglomerate.
The Dawood family expressed gratitude for the concern shown by colleagues and friends, while earnestly requesting everyone to pray for the safe return of their loved ones.
Paul-Henry Nargeolet
Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 77-year-old a former French Navy diver, was also on the Titanic expedition. Known as “Mr. Titanic,” he holds the record for the explorer who spent the most time at the wreck. Just two years after the Titanic was discovered, Nargeolet was part of the first team to visit the wreck in 1987. He is currently the director of underwater research at a company that possesses the rights to the Titanic wreck.
According to Mathieu Johann, a spokesperson for the family, they hope that Nargeolet’s experience and military background will provide reassurance to the crew. Prior to the journey, Nargeolet expressed his anticipation for an upcoming expedition next year to retrieve items from the wreck. Marine scientist David Mearns, believes that Nargeolet would be familiar with the seabed and capable of remaining composed in such circumstances.
Stockton Rush
The chief executive and founder of OceanGate, 61-year old Stockton Rush, is also reported to be on the Titan vessel.
Military aircraft, a submarine, and sonar buoys have been utilized in the ongoing search efforts.
The Titanic wreck is located approximately 435 miles (700km) south of St John’s, Newfoundland, but the rescue mission is coordinated from Boston, Massachusetts.
