Last leisure: Titan riders likely listened to music, watched sea life before implosion

Others include CEO of OceanGate Stockton Rush, French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet and British billionaire Hamish Harding

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19-year-old Suleman Dawood (right) with his father Shahzada Dawood, who was a renowned Pakistani businessman and philanthropist, moments before diving into the North Atlantic Ocean. — Dawood Family
19-year-old Suleman Dawood (right) with his father Shahzada Dawood, who was a renowned Pakistani businessman and philanthropist, moments before diving into the North Atlantic Ocean. — Dawood Family

It is very painful to imagine what the passengers of the imploded submersible Titan had gone through when they lost contact with the outside world just an hour and a half after diving into the North Atlantic to explore the Titanic wreckage.

The OceanGate Expedition-owned submersible went missing on June 18, after it was launched from its mothership and after more than four days of a rigorous rescue mission led by the US, Canada and France, the authorities announced the death of all five passengers.

A screengrab shows a Titanic digital scan. — YouTube/BBC News
A screengrab shows a Titanic digital scan. — YouTube/BBC News

As information about the condition of the passengers keeps coming in, it was learned that all the passengers spent their time listening to music and watching deep sea creatures.

Among the five people onboard the vessel, there was 19-year-old Suleman Dawood with his father Shahzada Dawood, who was a renowned Pakistani businessman and philanthropist.

Three others included the pilot and CEO of the OceanGate Stockton Rush, French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet and British billionaire adventurer Hamish Harding.

CEO OceanGate Expedition which owned the imploded submersible Titan, Stockton Rush can be seen in this picture. — Instagram/@oceangateexped
CEO OceanGate Expedition which owned the imploded submersible Titan, Stockton Rush can be seen in this picture. — Instagram/@oceangateexped

Their vessel suffered a "catastrophic explosion" and all were pronounced dead on June 22.

The tail of the Titan was found near the Titanic wreck.

Christine Dawood, Shahzada and mother of Suleman told about the preparations carried out by CEO Stockton Rush.

British billionaire and adventurer Hamish Harding while in a TV show. — Instagram@actionaviationchairman
British billionaire and adventurer Hamish Harding while in a TV show. — Instagram@actionaviationchairman

"It was like a well-oiled operation — you could see they had done this before many times," Christine noted about the briefing given to the passengers, during an interview with the New York Times.

As per the recommendations, the passengers were to consume a “low-residue diet” the day before their journey estimated to last four hours. They were also advised to wear thick socks and a beanie due to cold temperatures as it neared the Titanic wreck thousands of feet beneath the ocean.

OceanGates Submersible Titan can be seen diving into the ocean. — OnceanGate Expedition
OceanGate's Submersible Titan can be seen diving into the ocean. — OnceanGate Expedition

The warning was also issued the journey would be dark but they would likely see the view of bioluminescent creatures.

Rush also reported to have recommended people to load favourite songs onto their phones to share with others on a Bluetooth speaker, however, he said there should be no country music.

French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet can be seen looking towards a Titanic model. — AFP/File
French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet can be seen looking towards a Titanic model. — AFP/File

Authorities retrieved the debris of the imploded submersible last Wednesday as the US Coast Guard continues recovery operations following the sub’s catastrophic implosion.

Pelagic Research Services, the company that operated the remotely operated vehicles (ROV) that made the previous debris findings, said that its team had successfully completed off-shore operations and was now in the process of demobilisation after 10 days of work.

A video from several news outlets showed several pieces of the submersible being lifted from the ship, including the nose cone with its distinctive circular window. The pieces were unloaded from the American ships Sycamore and Horizon Arctic at a port in St John's, Newfoundland.