The family of Brit Titan passenger Hamish Harding pays tribute to the ‘living legend’ while crew members share their pain
BRIT passenger Hamish Harding is remembered as a ‘living legend’, having received numerous awards from members of Titan’s crew.
This follows OceanGate’s devastating announcement on Thursday that the party of five perished after the ship suffered a “catastrophic implosion”.
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Passengers Stockton Rush, billionaire Hamish Harding, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman all perished during the tragic incident.
And since the tragic revelation, Hamish’s family have shared a heartbreaking tribute to the “dedicated father” who “lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure.”
The statement, released by Harding’s company Action Aviation, said: “Today we join in grief with the other families who have also lost loved ones.”
“Hamish Harding was a loving husband to his wife and a devoted father to his two sons, whom he loved dearly.
“To his team at Action Aviation he was a leader, an inspiration, a support and a living legend.”
“He was one of a kind and we loved him. He was a passionate explorer – no matter the terrain – who lived his life for his family, his business and for the next adventure.”
“What he accomplished in life was truly remarkable, and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, it is that we lost him in what he loved.”
“He will leave a void in our lives that can never be filled. We know Hamish would have been very proud to see nations, experts, industry peers and friends come together for the search and we sincerely thank them for all their efforts.” .
“On behalf of the Harding family and Action Aviation, we would politely ask for privacy at this incredibly difficult time.”
The family of Mr Dawood and Suleman, 19, also shared their grief.
They said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the deaths of Shahzada and Suleman Dawood.
“Our beloved sons were aboard OceanGate’s Titan submersible that perished underwater.
“Please continue to keep the separated souls and our family in your prayers at this difficult time of sorrow.
“We are very grateful to everyone involved in the rescue operations.
“Your tireless commitment was a source of strength for us during this time.
“We also owe a debt of gratitude to our friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers from around the world who have stood by us in our hour of need.
“The immense love and support we receive continues to help us.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other passengers on the Titan submersible.
“Details of their final rites on this world will be announced soon.”
It comes after Suleman’s aunt told it NBC News The teenager had expressed concerns before embarking on the daring adventure.
Azmeh Dawood said her nephew informed relatives that he “didn’t feel like it very much” and was “terrified” of the trip.
Still, the 19-year-old attended the trip as the trip fell over Father’s Day weekend and he was reportedly keen to please his dad.
Azmeh said, “I’m thinking of Suleman, who’s 19 and maybe just gasping for air … To be honest, it was crippling.”
“I am incredulous.
“It’s an unreal situation.”
The statement released by OceanGate yesterday afternoon confirmed the deaths of the five crew members.
It said: “We now believe that our CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, have sadly been lost.”
“These men were true explorers who shared a strong spirit of adventure and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans.
“Our hearts go out to these five souls and each of their family members at this tragic time. We mourn the loss of life and joy they brought to all who knew them.”
Richard Garriott, president of adventure group The Explorers Club, said: “Our hearts are broken. I am so sorry to share this tragic news.”
“Our Explorers Club friends and colleagues, Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, are lost along with Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman trying to reach the RMS Titanic.
“Hamish Harding is a dear friend of mine personally and of the Explorers Club. He holds multiple world records and has continued to push dragons off the map, both personally and through his support of expeditions and charities.”
“Paul-Henri was elected to the club in 2001 and was one of the leading experts on diving expeditions to Titanic.
“They were both, like so many of us, drawn to research and did so in the name of meaningful science for the benefit of mankind.”
“Although we did not know Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman personally, their desire to explore as a family would have drawn them to our doorstep at some point in their future, where we would have welcomed them.”
“Your memories will be a blessing and will continue to inspire us in the name of science and research.”
Secretary of State James Cleverly also paid tribute to the five people on board Titan.
He described it as “tragic news” and said the government was providing intensive support to the families affected.
US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger, who is leading the search for Titan’s remains, said the submarine suffered a “catastrophic loss of hyperbaric chamber.”
When asked about the recovery of the bodies, he admitted that the seabed was an “incredibly unforgiving, incredibly complex environment.”
He added: “We’ll continue to work and search the area down there, but I don’t have an answer as to who might be interested at this time.”
Rescue experts say the wreckage of the Titan submarine was found more than 650 feet from the bow of the Titanic wreck.
The search used the world’s most advanced underwater search technology.
According to reports, the Canadian ship Horizon Arctic is still searching for remains of the missing submarine.