On Sunday, June 19, 2023, a submersible carrying five people, including British billionaire Hamish Harding, disappeared while on a mission to the wreck of the Titanic. The sub, called the Titan, was operated by OceanGate Expeditions, a company that specializes in underwater exploration.
The last text message sent by Harding was to former NASA astronaut Colonel Terry Virts. The message read, “Hey, we’re headed out tomorrow, it looks good, the weather’s been bad so they’ve been waiting for this.”
The Titan was scheduled to depart from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, on Sunday morning, but it never made it to the wreck. A search and rescue operation was launched, but the sub has not been found.
Harding, chairman of the Dubai-based Action Aviation, had shared the news that he was joining the mission via Instagram.
“I am proud to finally announce that I joined @oceangateexped for their RMS TITANIC Mission as a mission specialist on the sub going down to the Titanic,” Harding wrote. “Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023.”
Harding was a well-known explorer and entrepreneur. He was the founder and CEO of Global Rescue, a company that provides medical and security services to travelers. He was also a member of the Explorers Club, a prestigious organization of explorers and adventurers.
The disappearance of the Titan is a tragedy, and it is a reminder of the dangers of underwater exploration. The Titanic is located in one of the most remote and unforgiving parts of the ocean, and the conditions there can be very dangerous.
The search for the Titan is ongoing, and it is hoped that the sub and its crew will be found soon. In the meantime, the world is mourning the loss of Hamish Harding and the other four people who were on board.
Chilling last text of Brit Hamish Harding before boarding missing Titanic submarinehttps://t.co/4E6FYYYMV8 pic.twitter.com/NkEz5f1zaq
— Mirror World News (@MirrorWorldNews) June 20, 2023