A previous passenger of the now-missing Titan submersible, Fred Hagen, shared his experience on Fox & Friends, emphasizing the inherent dangers of the Titanic wreckage expedition. Hagen, who journeyed to the site aboard the OceanGate vessel, stated that all participants were explicitly made aware of the mission's life-threatening risks and potential for both death and injury. He highlighted the established safety protocols and acknowledged the current scrutiny surrounding backup systems, but reiterated the understood precariousness of the operation.
Hagen drew parallels to the Wright brothers' pioneering flight, emphasizing the inherent risks involved in exploration and innovation. He described OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, one of the missing individuals, as a visionary seeking to expand access to the ocean depths, a pursuit not without inherent peril.
Hagen also spoke about another missing passenger, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a renowned figure in deep-sea exploration, with whom he had previously explored the Titanic. He lauded Nargeolet's expertise and professionalism, expressing hope for his safe return. He stressed the importance of focusing on rescue efforts as long as there remains a possibility of survival.
The fate of the OceanGate Titan and its crew remains uncertain, with ongoing search and rescue operations striving to locate the missing vessel. Hagen expressed the belief that an implosion, if it occurred, would have resulted in instantaneous fatalities.
