The search is continuing to find the submersible that lost contact near the wreck of the Titanic.
The vessel was used to take people to see the wreck of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean.
OceanGate Expeditions said it was “exploring and mobilising all options to bring the crew back to safety.”
Here are the five people on board when the submersible went missing
Hamish Harding
Hamish Harding, 58, is a British billionaire and was confirmed to be one of the passengers on board the Titanic submersible by his stepson, Brian Szasz.
Mr Harding is the chairman of Action Aviation, which is a sales and operations company that offers a range of services in the business aviation industry.
In a statement on Tuesday, the company said it was “grateful” for all the “kind messages”.
It added: “We are thankful for the continued efforts of authorities and companies that have stepped in to aid in the rescue efforts.”
Before his trip, Mr Harding said on Twitter that he was joining OceanGate Expeditions as a mission specialist.
In 2019, he was on board the One More Orbit flight mission that set a record for the fastest circumnavigation of Earth by aircraft over both geographic poles.
Jannicke Mikkelsen, an explorer and friend of Mr Harding, told Sky News he was an “inspiration for the rest of the team”.
“He will go through the emergency checklists and procedures together with the captain of the submersible,” she said.
“He will also be a good inspiration to the rest of the team to keep calm. I really believe Hamish is the one that can help lead this team – because he has been in tricky situations in the past on expeditions.”
Stockton Rush
Stockton Rush is chief executive and founder of OceanGate Inc and has been the co-founder and member of the Board of Trustees of OceanGate Foundation since 2012.
OceanGate Foundation is a non-profit organisation which says it aims to catalyse emerging marine technology to further discoveries in marine science, history, and archaeology.
According to Mr Rush’s biography on his company’s website, he became the youngest jet transport-rated pilot at the age of 19.
During his college summers, he flew out to Saudi Arabia for Overseas National Airways under a subcontract from Saudi Arabian Airlines.
He is said to have travelled to various locations, such as Cairo, Damascus, London, Zurich and Khartoum.
In 1989 Mr Rush personally built a Glasair III experimental aircraft which, according to his website, he still owns and flies.
He has also completed a heavily modified Kittredge K-350 two-man submersible, in which he has conducted more than 30 dives to date.
In an interview with Sky News in February, Mr Rush spoke about visiting the Titanic wreck.
“What really strikes you is how beautiful it is,” he said.
“You don’t normally see that on a shipwreck.
“It is an amazingly beautiful wreck.”
Read more from Sky News:
Why the hunt for the missing vessel is so difficult
Investigation of underwater noises in search for missing Titan submersible are ‘negative’
Scientist recounts trapped Titanic submersible experience over 20 years ago
Paul-Henri Nargeolet
French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet is a former commander who served in the navy for 25 years in France.
During his service, he became the captain of the deep submergence group of the Navy.
The 77-year-old is known as “Mr Titanic” for his expertise and has been on over 35 dives to the Titanic wreck site, according to the New York Times.
After leaving the Navy, he joined the French Institute for Research and Exploitation of the Sea, according to The Five Deeps Expedition – a company that assembles scientists, engineers and submersible operators for missions.
He is also a member of the RMS Titanic Inc, a US firm which salvaged the Titanic site – Mr Nargeolet recovered many artefacts with the team.
Jessica Sanders, president of the firm, said:” We are devastated with the news, but remain steadfast in our hope for a safe rescue for all.
“PH [Paul-Henry] is more than a colleague, he is a friend. No one has more experience at the wreck site than PH, and no one has a better chance of navigating through equipment failure than he does.
“We remain hopeful.”
Dik Barton made 22 dives to the wreck to recover artefacts when he was head of operations with RMS Titanic Inc and worked closely with Mr Nargeolet on the dives.
Mr Barton said the group on the missing trip had “good leadership”.
“He is the kind of man who will keep them calm, but it’s not easy in a tube at the bottom of the ocean,” he said.
Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman
British businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48 and his son Suleman, 19, come from one of Pakistan’s richest families, whose eponymous firm invests in agriculture, industry and the health sector.
“We are very grateful for the concern being shown by our colleagues and friends and would like to request everyone to pray for their safety,” their family said in a statement.
Mr Dawood has been the Vice Chairman at Engro Corporation – a large fertiliser firm – since 2003.
The UK-based businessman is also a trustee at the SETI Institute – a Silicon Valley not-for-profit organisation working in space exploration.
Mr Dawood is a supporter of two charities founded by King Charles – the British Asian Trust and the Prince’s Trust International.
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Suleman is currently studying at university, his family said.
A Palace spokesperson said the King had asked to be kept fully up to date with the rescue operation.
