Missing Titanic Sub: Dubai Expat Hamish Harding Goes Missing, Family And Friends Await His Safe Return

A UAE expat for 15 years, British adventurer Hamish Harding, is reported to be one of the individuals on board a submarine that has gone missing near the site of the Titanic wreckage. Currently, the US Coast Guard in Boston is taking the lead in coordinating rescue operations, supported by the Canadian Coast Guard and military aircraft.

The vessel, called OceanGate Expeditions, which carried five crew, was reported as overdue on Sunday evening, approximately 435 miles south of St John’s, Newfoundland.

Who Is Hamish Harding?

58-year-old Harding is the chairman of Action Aviation, an international aircraft brokerage company with headquarters in Dubai, UAE. Harding is an accomplished aviator, holding an airline transport pilot’s license and business jet type ratings, including the Gulfstream G650.

He serves as a trustee of the Explorers Club. In 2017, he collaborated with the Antarctic VIP tourism company White Desert to establish the first regular business jet service to Antarctica. He landed on Wolfsfang Runway, a newly created ice runway in Antarctica.

Harding’s family and colleagues are awaiting his safe return from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

Mark Butler, managing director of Action Aviation, said the company and the Harding family take “great pride” in the explorer’s achievements. “The team at Action Aviation are extremely proud of Hamish and we look forward to welcoming him home.”

The explorer’s family is “very grateful” for all the “kind messages of concern and support from our friends and colleagues”.

“We are thankful for the continued efforts of the authorities and companies that have stepped in to aid in the rescue efforts. We put great faith and trust in their expertise,” Butler said.

Referring to Harding’s adventure-loving nature, the managing director of his company listed out his achievements, which include his three world records, circumnavigation of the world, space flight and diving to the deepest oceanic trench on Earth.

“The Harding family and Action Aviation politely request privacy at this time,” he added.