Billionaire confidently announces plans to embark on a mission to explore the Titanic Wreck despite the OceanGate tragedy.
Connor intends to explore the Titanic’s depths using a vessel manufactured by Triton, a company specializing in submarine construction.
In June of last year, there was a widely-covered incident involving OceanGate’s Titan submersible, which disappeared with five individuals on board during an expedition to reach depths of nearly 13,000 feet underwater. Unfortunately, the craft’s collapse resulted in the tragic loss of all passengers, sparking concerns about the safety of such deep-sea excursions.
Nevertheless, Larry Connor, a prominent figure in real estate investment, remains optimistic about the capabilities of a new submarine.
Accompanying Connor on this expedition will be Patrick Lahey, Triton’s co-founder and CEO.
Lahey reached out to discuss the concept of constructing a submarine capable of safely diving to depths comparable to those of the Titanic, emphasizing the need to showcase their capabilities to the world.
Reflecting on the past year, the CEO of Triton noted how the submarine implosion had negatively impacted their business and reignited doubts about submarine safety.
Lahey mentioned that Connor, one of his clients, had been advocating for a new submarine shortly after the tragic events of last year.
In a conversation, Connor expressed his desire to highlight the ocean’s beauty and transformative potential when approached with respect and care.
Among those lost in the previous year’s expedition were OceanGate’s CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British businessman Hamish Harding, and French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, all of whom were affluent participants in the voyage.
Following the submarine implosion, OceanGate faced severe criticism for their vessel’s inadequate equipment, alongside revelations of prior safety concerns raised by a former employee named David Lochridge.
Lochridge’s legal proceedings revealed that the Titan sub had not undergone testing at depths comparable to those of the Titanic wreckage.
In response to recent events, OceanGate has decided to halt all exploration and commercial activities.