Titanic Sub Implosion: Billionaire Financier Turned Down Last-Minute Discount Seats for Him and His Son
He had safety concerns.
A billionaire financier recently revealed that he turned down discounted seats on the ill-fated Titan submarine for himself and his son. Las Vegas-based businessman Jay Bloom shared text messages between himself and Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, the company behind the submersible. The messages, which were reported by MailOnline, show that Bloom declined the reduced offer due to safety concerns, ultimately saving himself and his son from the tragic outcome that followed.
Bloom's decision to turn down the discounted tickets was driven by worries about the submersible's safety. He expressed his concerns to Rush, who reassured him by claiming that the voyage was "safer than crossing the street" and compared it to flying in a helicopter or scuba diving. Despite Rush's conviction, Bloom stood firm in his decision, emphasizing that the submersible's safety could not be guaranteed.
Bloom was not the only one who declined a trip on the Titan submarine. Several other individuals had reservations about the submersible's safety or the quality of its equipment. Diver Chris Brown, who initially signed up for the voyage, backed out after discovering that scaffolding poles were being used as ballast and considered the vessel to be "shoddy."Additionally, explorer David Concannon had to cancel at the last minute due to work commitments, and Robert Mester, a former marine and deepwater salvage expert, turned down the offer after observing what he deemed as subpar equipment.
Following the catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible, those who declined the voyage expressed their deep sadness and sympathies for the victims. Bloom, in a Facebook post, shared his safety concerns and revealed his regret that Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, who took their spots, also lost their lives.
He expressed his disagreement with Rush's claims about the safety of the submersible, emphasizing that Rush was mistaken in his belief.
Renowned filmmaker and submersible expert James Cameron commented on the parallels between the recent tragedy and the 1912 Titanic disaster. He criticized the handling of the search and described it as a "prolonged nightmarish charade."
Cameron had predicted the implosion of the Titan submersible prior to its discovery, highlighting the importance of heeding safety concerns and learning from historical lessons.
RELATED: 8 Harrowing Facts Shared by Titanic Sub's Previous Passengers
The Titan submersible met its tragic fate when it suffered a catastrophic implosion near the site of the Titanic wreck. The five individuals on board, including CEO Stockton Rush, were killed instantly. The debris of the submersible was located on the ocean floor, confirming the devastating outcome. Investigations into the implosion and the sequence of events leading up to it are ongoing.
