LONDON, ENGLAND: The family of Hamish Harding, 58, a British billionaire adventurer who tragically lost his life after the Titan submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion, has paid tribute to their "dedicated father" and stated that he died "doing what he loved." Describing Harding as "a guide, an inspiration, a support, and a living legend," his family expressed their deep admiration following the news of his death.
A void that can never be filled
"He was one of a kind and we adored him," the devastated family said in a short statement. "He was a passionate explorer - whatever the terrain - who lived his life for his family, his business, and for the next adventure. What he achieved in his lifetime was truly remarkable, and if we can take any small consolation from this tragedy, it's that we lost him doing what he loved."
Harding's family acknowledged the immense void his death has left and expressed their unity in grief with the families of the other individuals who also perished in the incident. "We know that Hamish would have been immensely proud to see how nations, experts, industry colleagues, and friends came together for the search, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for all their efforts," the family added.
During a press conference, Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard shared the devastating news. "The debris is consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber. Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families. On behalf of the Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families." In another blow for the families, experts have stated that the chances of recovering any remains are slim.
Pursuing dreams and setting world records
Born in Hammersmith, west London, Harding had a successful aviation business in Dubai, catering to the needs of the world's wealthiest individuals. However, it was his extraordinary adventures outside the corporate world that truly set him apart. Harding was known for "making unusual things happen" and held three Guinness World Records. He embarked on a trip to outer space on the Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin and set the record for the longest time spent at the bottom of the sea after exploring the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth. Additionally, he achieved the record for the greatest distance covered at full ocean depth. In 2019, he marked the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing by setting a world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the Earth.
In 2016, Harding accompanied his close friend Buzz Aldrin on an expedition to Antarctica, where Aldrin became the oldest person to reach the South Pole at the age of 86. Harding repeated the feat in 2020, this time with his 12-year-old son Giles, who became the youngest person to reach that point. His extraordinary achievements earned him a Living Legends of Aviation honor, joining the ranks of distinguished individuals such as Buzz Aldrin, Sir Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk.
Speaking about his audacious lifestyle, Harding emphasized the importance of pursuing dreams. "People, especially as they grow older, tend to give up on their dreams. When I think of something unusual, I just try to find ways to make it happen," he once said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
