Hamish Harding, a UK billionaire, is among the people on board a missing tourist submersible that was being used to explore the wreck of the Titanic. Two other individuals on board the vessel, named Titan, have been identified as French submersible pilot, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, and chief executive and founder of OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush. The submersible, which has a capacity of five people, was being operated by OceanGate Expeditions, a company that deploys vessels for deep sea expeditions.
Search and Rescue Mission Underway
OceanGate Expeditions has confirmed that one of its submersibles has gone missing in the Atlantic Ocean and that a search and rescue mission is underway. The company has received assistance from several government agencies in the search process and is exploring options to bring the crew back safely. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO) has stated that it is in contact with the family of a British man following reports of a missing submarine off the coast of North America.
Deep Submersible Diving is Very Dangerous
Deep submersible diving is known to be very dangerous, according to explorer Larry Daley, a Newfoundland and Labrador Titanic Explorer. However, he believes that the high-tech equipment and technology used in submersibles have improved over the years, making him hopeful for a successful recovery. The Titan submersible is capable of diving 13,120ft “with a comfortable safety margin” and has a 96-hour oxygen supply.
The Titanic sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg and now lies 3,800m (12,500ft) under water in the Atlantic. Tourists often pay tens of thousands of dollars to be taken to the wreckage of the liner, with OceanGate Expeditions charging $250,000 (£195,270) for a place on its eight-day expedition. The main difference between a submersible and a submarine is that the former needs a mother ship to launch and recover it, while a submarine has enough power to leave and return to port under its own power.
The search and rescue mission to find Hamish Harding and the other individuals on board the missing Titan submersible is still ongoing. Deep submersible diving is known to be very dangerous, but the high-tech equipment and technology used in submersibles have improved over the years, making it possible for explorers to stay down under for extended periods of time. Despite the risks involved in deep submersible diving, tourists continue to pay large sums of money to explore the wreckage of the Titanic and other deep sea expeditions.
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