A French submarine operator and intrepid deep-sea explorer dubbed “Monsieur Titanic” died on a submersible that visited the wreck of the mythical ship, and he was credited with helping advance humanity’s understanding of the “unknown” on Friday. world” understanding.
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Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, was one of five passengers on the tourist submersible, which was revealed to have suffered severe damage on Thursday. “Catastrophic implosion”.
The news ended a search and rescue mission in the North Atlantic that had captured the attention of the world.
Nargeolet, who lives in Connecticut, has made more than 30 dives to explore the Titanic before, and even brought up some of the first items salvaged since the wreck was discovered in 1985.
Close ties of French deep-sea explorers were quick to express their grief.
“It’s a sad, sad, sad end for the giant of the deep,” said Bernard Cauvin, director of the Maritime Museum in Cherbourg, western France.
Cowen added that Najolai “has helped humanity understand the unknown world of the deep sea” and “captivated everyone with his restraint, delicacy and humility”.
Ahead of the submarine’s fate being revealed on Thursday, Najolais’ daughter Sidoni told French broadcaster BFMTV she hoped for a positive outcome.
“But anyway, he’s happy with where he is. It’s reassuring,” she said.
Cowen said he felt the same way: “He’s happy with where he is.”
Nargeolet was expected to attend new exhibition in paris July 6 commemorates the Titanic.
Exhibition organizer Pascal Bernardin said in a statement: “We salute the passion and courage of this extraordinary explorer and thank him for the dreams and emotions he gave us.”
After the wreck was discovered in 1985, the Titanic became the focus of Najolet’s second half of his life after retiring from the French Navy after a 25-year career.
Najolais has previously spoken publicly about the risks of his expeditions in some of the most inaccessible waters of the world’s oceans, often thousands of meters below sea level.
“When you’re in very deep water, you’re dead before you realize what’s going on, so it’s not a problem,” he told the Irish Observer in 2019.
(AFP)