The sons of British billionaire Hamish Harding have paid tribute to their 'loving father,' in the wake of his death on the doomed OceanGate submersible.
The 65-year-old pilot was one of four 'civilian explorers' on board the OceanGate Titan vessel, alongside CEO Stockton Rush, 61, businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son Suleman, and former French navy diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77.
His sons, who have not been named, have now released a statement in memory of their dad through his company, Active Aviation, saying he was "the best father I could have ever asked for."
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One son said: "My dad was a tenacious, hardworking businessman – but most importantly he was the best father I could have ever asked for.
"He inspired me more than anyone will ever know, taught me things I’ll never forget, and he meant everything to me. Anyone who ever met my dad will praise his humorous personality, his sheer work ethic, and his constant generosity.
"My life will be a success if I’m even half the man he is. My dad is gone but I will never forget him."
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Harding was known for his love of adventure, and even held a Guiness World Record title for setting a world speed for the fastest circumnavigation of Earth by aircraft over both geographic poles.
He was a keen member of The Explorers Club and had even visited the South Pole several times, as well as descending into the Mariana Trench.
In the statement, Harding's other son described him as a "loving father, family man and a determined and tireless businessman."
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"In all of these areas, he constantly sought to be the best man he could be and did nothing halfway," he wrote.
"Constantly full of wisdom and life advice to bestow, he made my brother and I into the people we are today.
"He was an energetic and charismatic man who by the sheer weight of his personality lifted up and supported everyone around him.
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"His tragic loss will be mourned not only by myself and my family, but everyone who had the pleasure to meet him.
"The world is so much less without his larger-than-life presence and his optimistic spirit."
Investigations into what exactly went wrong on the voyage are still underway, after several pieces of the vessel were found at the bottom of the North Atlantic ocean, near the wreckage of the Titanic.
Officials have since said they're unsure whether they'll be able to recover the bodies of the five people who tragically lost their lives.
Topics: Titanic, World News
Emma Rosemurgey