BE POSITIVE EVERYONE..

Irish explorer’s message of hope for rescue mission to find missing sub

- NICOLA DONNELLY and CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

AN Irish explorer who is part of the Titanic expedition has asked everyone to “think positive” in the search for a missing tourist submarine. 

He spoke out as it emerged that a renowned French diver with family based in Cork is one of the five people on board and he was piloting the vessel.

Paul-Henry Nargeolet has two adult children living in the rebel county and one of his grandchildren is being taught at a national school in the city.

He is a leading world expert on the wreck site and has undertaken numerous expeditions to the Titanic’s resting place.

Mr Nargeolet has also helped recover countless artefacts over the years.

The 77-year-old gave a talk at University College Cork in 2019 where he spoke about his many trips to the Titanic’s final resting place.

Rory Golden, who was the first Irish diver to visit the wreckage of the Titanic in 2000, is the on-board Titanic expert for OceanGate Expeditions, the company which takes paying tourists to view the famous wreck.

Dubliner Rory took to social media yesterday to reassure his friends and family that he was safe and said the crew are focused on the rescue mission at hand and are “thinking positive”.

He wrote on Facebook: “I’m OK. I really want to thank everyone who has been trying to message and WhatsApp me.

“We have a situation that is now the part of a search and rescue effort, being undertaken by major agencies.

“That is where our focus is right now. The reaction and offers of help globally is truly astonishing and only goes to show the real goodness in people at a time like this.