Rescue operations of the five individuals aboard the missing submersible that embarked on an expedition to explore the ruins of the RMS Titanic continues in earnest even as hopes to find them alive looks dim.
The submersible lost contact with its support ship merely an hour and 45 minutes after descending to the depths of the Titanic wreckage, approximately 12,500 feet underwater and 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland.
The search and rescue mission, conducted by the US Coast Guard in coordination with Canadian authorities, is racing against time to locate the submersible before the occupants exhaust their limited oxygen supply.
Here are the 5 passengers that were on board when the submersible went missing.
Hamish Harding: A Daring British Billionaire and Guinness World Records Holder
Hamish Harding, a 58-year-old British billionaire and Guinness World Record holder, is among the missing crew members. Known for his adventurous spirit, Harding has previously flown to space on a Blue Origin mission and visited both poles of the Earth in record time.
Joining the OceanGate Expeditions tour as a “mission specialist,” he set out to witness the historic wreckage of the “unsinkable” ship.
Shanzada and Sulaiman Dawood: Passionate Explorers with Philanthropic Ventures
Shanzada Dawood, a 48-year-old Pakistani energy and tech mogul, embarked on the dive to the Titanic with his 19-year-old son, Sulaiman. As the vice chairman of Engro Corporation and a trustee of California-based research institute SETI, Dawood is renowned for his contributions to the energy manufacturing and tech industry.
Sulaiman Dawood
The 19-year-old son of Shanzada Dawood, accompanying his father on the expedition. Sulaiman’s enthusiasm and curiosity likely contributed to the unique experience. Their shared passion for exploration and philanthropy led them to embark on this momentous underwater journey.
Paul-Henri Nargeolet: Leading Expert on the Titanic Wreckage
Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a 77-year-old retired commander in the French navy, lent his expertise to the exploration team. Nargeolet is renowned as a leading expert on the Titanic, having led the first expedition to the wreckage in 1987.
Currently serving as the director of RMS Titanic Inc., he possesses a deep understanding of the ship’s history and has appeared in various films and programs dedicated to the disaster.
Stockton Rush: Aviation Enthusiast and CEO of OceanGate
Stockton Rush, a 61-year-old aviation enthusiast and CEO of OceanGate, completed the missing team. Having obtained the title of the youngest jet transport-rated pilot in the world during his youth, Rush founded OceanGate to facilitate manned exploration.
His passion for submersible technology development and admiration for the grandeur of the Titanic wreck led him to take an active role in the expedition.
As the hours tick away, the desperate race to find the missing submersible becomes paramount. Rear Adm. John Mauger, leading the search-and-rescue mission, emphasized the urgency of the situation and assured the public that every effort is being made to locate and rescue the passengers.
