A British billionaire, Hamish Harding, and four other people went missing on a trip to dive into the Titanic wreck on Sunday, June 19, 2023.
The submersible they were in lost contact with the surface about four hours after it began its descent to the wreck, which is located about 13,000 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.
Harding, 58, is the founder and chairman of Global Ship Lease, a shipping company. He is also a member of the British Sub-Aqua Club and has extensive experience in diving. The other people on board the submersible were pilot Vince Cameron, expedition leader Chris Hadfield, explorer and filmmaker Doug Cameron, and American tourist Paul Andrew Hill.
The search for the missing submersible is ongoing. The US Coast Guard is leading the search, which is also being assisted by the Canadian Coast Guard and the Titanic Survey Expedition. So far, there have been no signs of the submersible or its occupants.
The disappearance of the submersible has raised concerns about the safety of diving into the Titanic wreck. The wreck is in a remote location and the water is very cold and dark. There have been several accidents involving submersibles at the Titanic wreck, including one in 2005 that killed three people.
The cost of diving into the Titanic wreck is $250,000 per person. This includes the cost of the submersible, the expedition, and the training. The diving is limited to a few weeks each year when the weather conditions are favourable.
The search for the missing submersible is ongoing. It is hoped that the occupants will be found safe and sound.
