A frantic race against time is underway for search teams to locate a submersible that disappeared while exploring the wreckage of the Titanic on Sunday.

Approximately one hour and 45 minutes into its dive in the mid-Atlantic, communication with the small sub was suddenly lost.

A large-scale search operation, coordinated from Boston, Massachusetts, is currently underway to find the submerged vessel and its five occupants.

A 58-Year-Old British Adventurer – Hamish Harding

The protagonist of our story is a 58-year-old British adventurer who leads Action Aviation, a private jet dealership based in Dubai. Throughout his life, he has achieved remarkable feats of exploration.

Among his achievements, he has made multiple visits to the South Pole, including one memorable trip accompanied by former astronaut Buzz Aldrin. In 2022, he embarked on a space voyage as part of Blue Origin's fifth manned mission.

His name also graces three Guinness World Records, one of which was earned by spending the longest recorded time at the deepest point of the Mariana Trench during a daring dive.

In a summer 2022 interview with Business Aviation Magazine, he shared his background and journey. Growing up in Hong Kong, he obtained his pilot qualification in the mid-1980s while studying at Cambridge University. After accumulating wealth in the field of banking software, he established his own aircraft company.

Regarding a planned dive to the Titanic in June 2022, he revealed that unforeseen circumstances had caused a delay. The submersible had suffered damage during a previous dive, although no injuries were reported.

When asked about his passion for exploration, he expressed his belief that these endeavors involve calculated risks that are thoroughly assessed before undertaking them.

In a recent Facebook update, our protagonist expressed that the current mission was likely to be the sole expedition of 2023 due to adverse weather conditions in Newfoundland, Canada, where the missions typically commence.

However, concerns arose when the stepson, Brian Szasz, shared a now-deleted Facebook post, revealing that his stepfather had gone missing while aboard the submarine.

A close friend of the missing adventurer, marine scientist, and expedition leader David Mearns, characterized him as a "very charming guy" with a penchant for "extreme adventures."

Patrick Woodhead, the founder of British tour operator White Desert Antarctica, praised the missing individual as an extraordinary aviation explorer. He extended his thoughts and prayers to the adventurer's wife, Linda, and his sons during this difficult time.

Terry Virts, a retired NASA astronaut, emphasized that the missing individual was an explorer rather than a thrill seeker and possessed the necessary skills to handle emergencies, as evidenced by his previous endeavors.

A British Businessman and His Son

Shahzada Dawood, a 48-year-old British businessman hailing from one of Pakistan's wealthiest families, embarked on a submarine journey accompanied by his 19-year-old son, Suleman.

Residing in Surbiton, south-west London, with his wife, Christine, and their other child, Alina, the family had been enjoying a month-long stay in Canada before the ill-fated dive.

Shahzada holds the position of vice-chairman in Engro Corporation, a prominent Pakistani conglomerate primarily engaged in the fertilizer industry.

Aside from his corporate responsibilities, Shahzada is actively involved with his family's Dawood Foundation and collaborates with the SETI Institute, a research organization based in California that focuses on the exploration of extraterrestrial life.

Moreover, he supports two charitable organizations founded by King Charles: the British Asian Trust and the Prince's Trust International.

A spokesperson from the palace conveyed the King's request to be kept informed about the ongoing rescue operation, expressing his solidarity with all those aboard the submarine in his "thoughts and prayers."

In a statement released by the family, it was highlighted that Shahzada had a keen interest in exploring diverse natural environments. He had previously addressed audiences at prestigious platforms such as the United Nations and the Oxford Union.

Having pursued his education in Philadelphia, USA, and the University of Buckingham in England, Shahzada successfully completed his studies in 1998.

The family's statement also shed light on teenager Suleman, describing him as an avid reader of science fiction literature with a passion for learning. Additionally, he displayed a fascination with Rubik's cubes and actively participated in volleyball.

Another Prominent Figures: Paul-Henry Nargeolet and Stockton Rush

Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a 77-year-old former French Navy diver, is among the individuals on board the expedition.

Affectionately known as Mr. Titanic, Nargeolet holds the distinction of having spent more time at the wreck site than any other explorer. He played a pivotal role in the initial 1987 expedition, a mere two years after the Titanic's discovery.

Currently serving as the director of underwater research at a company that holds the rights to the Titanic wreck, Nargeolet brings his expertise and extensive experience to the mission.

Mathieu Johann, the family spokesperson, expressed confidence that Nargeolet's composed demeanor and military background would provide reassurance to the crew, regardless of his direct influence on the operation's outcome.

Before boarding the submarine, Nargeolet expressed anticipation for an upcoming expedition next year, focused on retrieving artifacts from the wreck.

Another notable figure on board is Stockton Rush, a 61-year-old engineer and the chief executive of OceanGate. Rush has a history of designing experimental aircraft and working on small submersible vessels.

Established in 2009, OceanGate offers deep-sea travel experiences to its clients. The company gained global attention in 2021 by providing trips to the Titanic wreck site, where passengers can witness the remains of the iconic ship up close. These immersive journeys involve a 370-mile (595km) voyage on a larger vessel to reach the vicinity of the wreck, followed by an eight-hour dive in a submersible called Titan, comparable in size to a truck.