The five passengers who embarked on a deep sea dive bound for the Titanic shipwreck are believed to have perished, according to officials’ statement released on Thursday.
These individuals were not just ordinary travelers; they were true explorers who possessed an unwavering spirit of adventure and a profound dedication to exploring and safeguarding the world’s oceans.
OceanGate, the company behind the submersible, expressed their condolences and solidarity with the families of these brave individuals during this tragic time.
Hamish Harding
Hamish Harding held the position of chairman at Action Aviation, a reputable aviation sales and consulting company.
Retired NASA astronaut Terry Virts, a close friend of Harding, described him as a natural-born explorer. In 2019, Harding set a Guinness World Record for the fastest flight around both of Earth’s poles, with Virts as part of the crew.
This was not his only achievement; Harding has broken several other Guinness World Records, including the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel and the longest distance traveled along the deepest part of the ocean.
Shahzada Dawood
Shahzada Dawood served as the vice chairman of Engro, a prominent Pakistani energy investment company, as well as Dawood Hercules Corp., an investment and holdings firm.
His expertise encompassed mergers and acquisitions in various industries, including textiles, fertilizers, foods, and energy.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Dawood contributed his knowledge and insights to several boards, such as the SETI Institute, a NASA-funded nonprofit focusing on extraterrestrial research, and Prince Charles’ charity, Prince’s Trust International.
Dawood earned an undergraduate law degree from Buckingham University in the U.K. and a master’s of science in global textile marketing from Philadelphia University (now known as Thomas Jefferson University). He leaves behind his wife, Christine, and their daughter, Alina.
Suleman Dawood
At only 19 years old, Suleman Dawood was a college student and the son of Shahzada Dawood.
He had recently completed his first year as a business major at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, demonstrating his budding ambition and commitment to his education.
Stockton Rush
Stockton Rush, a British businessman, founded OceanGate in 2009 and served as the organization’s CEO. He played a pivotal role in the development of submersibles capable of diving up to 20,000 feet below the ocean’s surface.
The OceanGate website highlights how Rush, by recognizing the potential of private industry funding and modern materials, took an early lead in an emerging market. This approach significantly lowered the cost of deep-sea exploration while enhancing our ability to delve into the mysteries of the ocean.
Rush achieved a significant milestone in 1981 when he became the youngest jet transport-rated pilot worldwide, at the age of 19. Throughout his aviation career, he flew to destinations such as Cairo, Mumbai, and Zurich.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Princeton University and a master’s degree in business from UC Berkeley. In 1989, he developed his own experimental aircraft, which he piloted.
In addition to his work at OceanGate, Rush has served on boards and development teams for companies specializing in sonar systems, software, remote controls, and has contributed to The Museum of Flight in Seattle.
Paul-Henri Nargeolet
Paul-Henri Nargeolet, often referred to as “Mr. Titanic” due to his extensive knowledge of the ship, spent 22 years in the French navy, ultimately achieving the rank of commander.
After retiring from the navy in 1986, he joined the French Institute for Research and Exploitation of the Sea, where he supervised two deep-sea submersibles.
Nargeolet’s biography highlights that he led the initial dive to recover artifacts from the Titanic wreckage in 1987. He then became the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic Inc., a company dedicated to preserving the history of the Titanic, as well as the E/M Group, an organization involved in exhibitions and entertainment.
Over the course of his career, Nargeolet completed an impressive 37 dives to the Titanic shipwreck. He oversaw the retrieval of 5,000 artifacts, including a massive 20-ton section of the hull.
Born in Chamonix, France, Nargeolet spent 13 years living in Africa with his family before returning to France at the age of 16.
