The US Coast Guard is not ruling out finding remains in its investigation into the Titanic implosion, which killed five
The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the Titan submarine implosion and is not ruling out finding human remains — while also suggesting the probe could lead to criminal charges.
Captain Jason Neubauer, who is leading the U.S. Coast Guard’s investigation into the ship’s implosion, made the remarks as the search and rescue aspects of the response came to an end.
British adventurer Hamish Harding and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood were killed aboard the submarine, along with the American CEO of the company responsible for the ship, Stockton Rush, and Frenchman Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
Salvage operations are continuing and investigators have mapped the scene of the accident, Cpt Neubauer told a news conference in Boston. He also said the convening of a Marine Board of Investigation is the highest level of investigation conducted by the US Coast Guard. It is unclear how long it will take. The US Coast Guard said it does not charge for search and rescue operations.
The Coast Guard opened what it calls a Navy Board investigation Friday, Neubauer said, and is working with the FBI to collect evidence.
This includes a salvage operation at the seabed debris site, about 488 meters from the bow of the Titanic wreck, about 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 underwater operations worldwide,” Neubauer said.
Captain Jason Neubauer (pictured) said the Coast Guard opened a so-called “marineboard investigation” on Friday and is working with the FBI to gather 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 died on the Titan along with his teenage son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, (left)
Hamish Harding’s cousin Kathleen Cosnett wrote, “It’s rather poignant that tomorrow would have been his birthday. His father died in June and my father also died in June’
He said the Coast Guard is in contact with the families of the five people killed and that investigators are “taking all precautions on site if we come across any human remains.”
Earlier today, the sons of British billionaire Hamish Harding paid tribute to the “best dad” who they say “constantly tried to be the best man he could be.”
Vice Admiral John Mauger, of the First Coast Guard District, confirmed that the Coast Guard has established a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) into “the loss of the submarine and the five people on board.”
He added: “The MBI is also responsible for the accountability aspects of the incident and may make recommendations to the appropriate authorities to impose civil or criminal sanctions if necessary.”
Harding, 58, was one of five adventurers aboard the OceanGate Expeditions submarine that lost contact with the mother ship when it reached the Titanic wreck site early Sunday morning.
The US Coast Guard said on Thursday that all five people aboard the submarine had died after the ship suffered a “catastrophic implosion.”
One of Mr Harding’s sons, who was not named in Action Aviation’s statement, has praised the billionaire for being a “tenacious, hard-working businessman” and for “inspiring me more than anyone will ever know.” .
The adventurer and wife Linda have two sons, Rory and Giles. Mr. Harding is also the stepfather of her two children from a previous relationship, daughter Laurena and Brian.
British billionaire Hamish Harding’s sons (pictured) have paid tribute to the ‘best dad’ who they say was ‘constantly trying to be the best man he could be’
Mr Harding, 58, was one of five adventurers aboard the OceanGate Expeditions submarine (pictured) that lost contact with the mother ship when it reached the Titanic wreck site early Sunday morning. The US Coast Guard said on Thursday that all five people aboard the submarine had died after the ship suffered a “catastrophic implosion.”
His two sons, who were not named on either statement from the sales and operations company, said Mr. Harding was the “greatest father I could have wished for.”
One of them said, “My father was a tenacious, hard-working businessman, but most of all, he was the best father I could have ever wished 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 has ever met my father will praise his humorous personality, his pure work ethic and his constant generosity.
“My life will be a success if I am even half the man he is. My father is gone, but I will never forget him.’
Mr Harding’s second son, who is also not named in the Action Aviation statement, said he was a “loving father, family man and a determined and tireless businessman”.
He said, “In all these areas he was constantly trying to be the best man he could be and didn’t do anything half way.
“Constantly full of wisdom and life advice to give, he has made my brother and me into the people we are today.
The billionaire’s two sons said Mr Harding (pictured) was the “best dad I could have ever wished for” and praised him as a “tenacious, hard-working businessman”
Canadian authorities began an investigation into the implosion of the Titan submarine on Saturday. Pictured: Canadian Coast Guard vessel Terry Fox (left) and Canadian vessel Skandi Vinland (right), returning to St John’s Port in Newfoundland, Canada, after supporting the search and rescue operation for the submarine Titan
“He was an energetic and charismatic man who, through the sheer weight of his personality, lifted and supported everyone around him.
“His tragic loss will be mourned not only by me and my family, but by all who had the pleasure of meeting him.
“The world is so much less without his larger-than-life presence and his optimistic spirit.”
The heartfelt tributes come as Canadian authorities launched an investigation into the implosion of the Titan submarine on Saturday.
“Our mandate is to find out what happened and why and to figure out what needs to change to reduce the likelihood or risk of such events occurring in the future,” said Kathy Fox, chair of the Transport Safety Board ( TSB).
“We know everyone wants answers, especially the families and the public,” she told reporters in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The full probe can take 18 months to two years.
TSB researchers on Saturday boarded the Canadian-flagged cargo ship Polar Price, which departed from St. John’s last weekend to ferry the ill-fated Titan to its launch point in the North Atlantic.
The Dutch Transport Safety Board routinely investigates air, rail, marine and pipeline accidents with the aim of improving transport safety. It does not assign guilt and establishes no civil or criminal liability.
The US Coast Guard said on Thursday that all five people aboard the submarine had died after the ship suffered a “catastrophic implosion.”