The US Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the undersea implosion of the Titan submersible and has not ruled out finding human remains – while also hinting that the probe could lead to criminal charges.
The announcement comes a day after Canada’s Transportation Safety Board said it was conducting its own investigation into the implosion – which has raised questions about the unregulated nature of tourist expeditions.
‘My primary goal is to prevent a similar occurrence by making the necessary recommendations to enhance the safety of the maritime domain worldwide,’ said Captain Jason Neubauer, the Coast Guard’s chief investigator.
The Coast Guard opened what it calls a marine board investigation on Friday, Neubauer said, and is working with the FBI to recover evidence.
This includes a salvage operation at the debris site on the seabed about 1,600 feet (488 meters) from the bow of the Titanic wreck, about 2-1/2 miles (4 km) below the surface.
The findings will be shared with the International Maritime Organization and other groups ‘to help improve the safety framework for submersible operations worldwide,’ Neubauer said.
Captain Jason Neubauer (pictured) said the Coast Guard opened what it calls a ‘marine board investigation’ on Friday and is working with the FBI to recover evidence
Oceangate CEO Stockton Rush led the expedition last Sunday, which is known to have resulted in the deaths of all five men on board
Commander Paul-Henry Nargeolet, an expert on the Titanic, also lost his life in the Titan tragedy
Shahzada Dawood, 48, (right) one of Pakistan’s richest men, who along with his teenage son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, (left) died on the Titan
Hamish Harding’s cousin Kathleen Cosnett wrote: ‘It’s quite poignant that tomorrow would have been his birthday. His father died in June and my father died in June too’
He said the Coast Guard is in touch with the families of the five people killed, and that investigators are ‘taking all precautions on site if we are to encounter any human remains.’
Earlier today, the sons of British billionaire Hamish Harding have paid tribute to the ‘best father’ who they say ‘constantly sought to be the best man he could be’.
Rear Admiral John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, confirmed that the Coast Guard has launched a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) into ‘the loss of the submersible and the five people on board’
He added: ‘The MBI is also responsible for accountability aspects of the incident and it can make recommendations to the proper authorities to pursue civil or criminal sanctions as necessary.’
Mr Harding, 58, was among the five adventurers on board the OceanGate Expeditions submersible that lost contact with its mothership as it reached the site of the Titanic wreckage early Sunday morning.
The US Coast Guard said Thursday that all five people aboard the submersible had died after the vessel suffered a ‘catastrophic implosion.’
One of Mr Harding’s sons, who was not named on the statement issued through Action Aviation, has hailed the billionaire for being a ‘tenacious, hard working businessman’ and for having ‘inspired me more than anyone will ever know’.
The adventurer and wife Linda have two sons, Rory and Giles. Mr Harding is also the stepfather to her two kids from a previous relationship, daughter Laurena and Brian.
The sons of British billionaire Hamish Harding (pictured) have paid tribute to the ‘best father’ who they say ‘constantly sought to be the best man he could be’
Mr Harding, 58, was among the five adventurers on board the OceanGate Expeditions submersible (pictured) that lost contact with its mothership as it reached the site of the Titanic wreckage early Sunday morning. The US Coast Guard said Thursday that all five people aboard the submersible had died after the vessel suffered a ‘catastrophic implosion
His two sons, who were not named on either statement issued through the sales and operations company, said Mr Harding was the ‘best father I could have ever asked for’.
One said: ‘My dad was a tenacious, hardworking businessman – but most importantly he was the best father I could have ever asked for.
‘He inspired me more than anyone will ever know, taught me things I’ll never forget, and he meant everything to me.
‘Anyone who ever met my dad will praise his humorous personality, his sheer work ethic, and his constant generosity.
‘My life will be a success if I’m even half the man he is. My dad is gone but I will never forget him.’
Mr Harding’s second son, who was also not named in the statement issued by Action Aviation, said he was a ‘loving father, family man and a determined and tireless businessman’.
He said: ‘In all of these areas, he constantly sought to be the best man he could be and did nothing halfway.
‘Constantly full of wisdom and life advice to bestow, he made my brother and I into the people we are today.
The billionaire’s two sons said Mr Harding (pictured) was the ‘best father I could have ever asked for’ and hailed him as a ‘tenacious, hardworking businessman’
Canadian authorities on Saturday began a probe into the implosion of the Titan submersible. Pictured: Canadian Coast Guard vessel Terry Fox (left), and Canadian vessel Skandi Vinland (right), return to St John’s Port in Newfoundland, Canada, after supporting the search and rescue operation for the Titan submersible
‘He was an energetic and charismatic man who by the sheer weight of his personality lifted up and supported everyone around him.
‘His tragic loss will be mourned not only by myself and my family, but everyone who had the pleasure to meet him.
‘The world is so much less without his larger-than-life presence and his optimistic spirit.’
The heartfelt tributes come as Canadian authorities on Saturday began a probe into the implosion of the Titan submersible.
‘Our mandate is to find out what happened and why and to find out what needs to change to reduce the chance or the risk of such occurrences in the future,’ said Transportation Safety Board (TSB) chair Kathy Fox.
‘We know everybody wants answers, particularly the families and the public,’ she told reporters in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Th full probe could take between 18 months to two years.
TSB investigators on Saturday boarded the Canadian-flagged Polar Price cargo ship, which had set sail from St. John’s last weekend to bring the ill-fated Titan to its launch point in the north Atlantic.
The Transportation Safety Board routinely probes air, rail, marine and pipeline accidents with the aim of improving transportation safety. It does not assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
The US Coast Guard said Thursday that all five people aboard the submersible had died after the vessel suffered a ‘catastrophic implosion.’
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