By David Young-
Five people, including Hamish Harding, are trapped underwater as the US Coastguard tonight are in a race against time to find the vessel.
The US Coast Guard said the 21ft vessel has five people on board and warned that the search, taking place approximately 900 miles east off Cape Cod, has been “challenging” due to the remote location.
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OceanGate Expedition has confirmed that it is their vessel at the centre of the rescue mission and that there is five crew members are on board.
Harding’s stepson Brian Szasz confirmed he was missing on social media.
He wrote on Facebook: “Thoughts and prayers for my Mom and Hamish Harding.”
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An image of a Titan submarine used for such expeditionsOcean Gate
The stepson added: “Hamish Harding my stepfather has gone missing on submarine thoughts and prayers.”
Rescue crews have been searching the Atlantic Ocean after the tourist vessel vanished.
It costs around £200,000-a-head to embark on the tourist voyage.
Aviation boss Harding posted about the dive mission on Sunday, saying: “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.
“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. A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive tomorrow.”
Rear Admiral John Mauger, commander of the First Coast Guard District, said: “It is a remote area and it is a challenge to conduct a search in that area” but added “we’re deploying all available assets.”
He said the search consists of both looking at the surface and subsurface. The coastguard said Titan lost contact with research vessel Polar Prince approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the vessel’s dive on Sunday morning.
The crew, reported lost this morning, has an oxygen supply able to last 96 hours. If the submersible’s oxygen supply has not been damaged, the crew have until 6am UK time on Thursday before it runs out.
Ocean Gate, one of the companies which provides the Titanic tourist service, confirmed a major search had been launched.
A spokesman for Ocean Gate said: “We are exploring and mobilising all options to bring the crew back safely.
“Our entire focus is on the crewmembers in the submersible and their families.
“We are deeply thankful for the extensive assistance we have received from several government agencies and deep sea companies in our efforts to re-establish contact with the submersible.
Prominence
Harnish Harding’s prominence in the world of business and philanthropy cannot be understated. As a British billionaire and CEO of a multinational conglomerate, his ventures span diverse industries, from technology and finance to energy and media.
In 2022, Mr Harding was declared a “living legend of aviation” joining Tom Cruise, Kenn Ricci and Jeff Bezos in the aviation and aerospace elite, during the third annual European Living Legends of Aviation Awards were held on August 27th in Austria.
Harding’s award recognised his contributions to aviation and aerospace. As well as founding business jet brokerage Action Aviation, he has also been involved in several record-breaking expeditions
His business acumen and generous philanthropic initiatives have garnered attention and admiration worldwide. making the disappearance of such a prominent figure has alarmed the world.
Harnish Harding’s sudden disappearance has cast a shadow of uncertainty over his vast business empire. His involvement in numerous enterprises, ranging from major corporations to start-ups, the absence of his leadership will create a power vacuum if he is not found alive, potentially leaving employees, investors, and stakeholders in a state of unease.
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