UK billionaire aboard submersible that vanished while visiting Titanic

A British billionaire is aboard a submersible vessel that has disappeared while on an expedition to view the wreckage of the RMS Titanic.

The vessel, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, was diving to view the remains of the passenger liner, which sank in 1912, when contact was lost. Hamish Harding, an adventurer and aviation executive is on board, according to Action Aviation, the Dubai-based aircraft brokerage he chairs.

OceanGate said it was “exploring and mobilising all options to bring the crew back safely”.

“Our entire focus is on the crew members in the submersible and their families,” OceanGate added. “We are deeply thankful for the extensive assistance we have received from several government agencies and deep sea companies in our efforts to reestablish contact with the submersible.”

The Boston Coastguard said it was searching for an “overdue Canadian research submarine” roughly 900 miles off Cape Cod.

Marine Traffic, a shipping information service, said three tug boats had left the port of St John’s in Newfoundland on Monday morning headed for the site of the wreck.

Harding holds a number of aviation world records and has travelled twice to the South Pole, once with astronaut with Buzz Aldrin. He also travelled to space in 2022 onboard the New Shepard space craft operated by Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin.

OceanGate organises expeditions lasting eight days to view the wreckage of the Titanic, which sits about 380 miles off the coast of Newfoundland and 3,800m below the ocean surface.

The company advertises the trip as an opportunity “to see the Titanic with your own eyes” while also supporting the scientific community in learning more about the wreck and the deep ocean environment. Fewer than 300 people have taken the tour.

Expeditions on the vessel, named Titan, cost $250,000, according to the company. OceanGate said on its website its 2023 tour was “under way”, with two more tours planned for 2024.

It was unclear how many people were on board the vessel that is missing. It can carry up to five people — crew and passengers — in total and is the only submersible in the world capable of transporting that many to depths of up to 4,000m.

The RMS Titanic sank on April 15 1912 after colliding with an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton in the UK to New York. More than 1,500 people died in the accident.

The tragedy has been a source of intrigue globally ever since, with a 1997 Hollywood film rekindling interest.

OceanGate was founded in Everett, Washington, in 2009 by entrepreneur Stockton Rush. It operates several surveys and tourist expeditions.