As the search and rescue efforts continue for the private submersible that disappeared during an expedition to explore the Titanic wreckage, more details are emerging about the five passengers on board.
The passengers include British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his teenage son Suleman, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, the company operating the submersible.
OceanGate marketed the trip as a unique opportunity to witness the Titanic firsthand, emphasizing its scientific significance rather than mere tourism. The cost of securing a seat on the vessel amounted to $250,000, attracting individuals from various income levels, as per Stockton Rush’s interview with CBS News last year. He mentioned that participants ranged from those who mortgaged their homes to afford the trip to those who didn’t hesitate despite the high expense.
Hamish Harding expressed his pride in joining the expedition through a Facebook post on June 17. He acknowledged the presence of renowned explorers on the submersible, including PH Nargeolet, who has conducted more than 30 dives to the RMS Titanic since the 1980s.
Here is what you need to know about the passengers on board the submersible.