The US Coast Guard has initiated a search and rescue mission for a submersible carrying five individuals that has gone missing during an expedition to the wreckage of the Titanic. The Canadian research ship Polar Prince, which was supporting the underwater vessel, lost contact with it and exceeded the expected communication check-in time, prompting concerns.
Coast Guard spokesperson Lt. Samantha Corcoran stated that they received a phone call reporting the situation, and efforts are now underway to collaborate with international partners and deploy available resources to locate and ensure the safety of all five individuals. Among those on board the missing submarine is British billionaire businessman and explorer Hamish Harding, according to his family.
Harding’s stepson initially posted on Facebook about his stepfather going missing on the submarine, requesting thoughts and prayers. However, the post was later removed out of respect for the family’s privacy. In a social media post prior to the expedition, Harding expressed his pride in joining Oceangate Expeditions RMS TITANIC Mission as a mission specialist. He mentioned the challenging winter weather conditions in Newfoundland and anticipated that this would likely be the sole manned mission to the Titanic in 2023.
Oceangate Expeditions, the organisation behind the expedition, stated that they are actively exploring all available options to safely bring the crew back. Their primary focus is on the well-being of the individuals in the submersible and their families. They expressed deep gratitude for the extensive assistance received from government agencies and deep-sea companies in their joint efforts to reestablish contact with the submersible and work towards the crew’s safe return.