Diver on missing submarine is Titanic expert

“He is the world expert on the Titanic... he is a superhero for us in France,” said Mathieu Johann, editor at publisher Harper Collins.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet, French explorer. Photo: Reuters

Johann convinced Nargeolet to write the book "In the depths of the Titanic" because he said his children were huge Nargeolet fans.

Nargeolet, 77, went missing last Sunday along with four others during an expedition in the mini-submarine Titan to view the wreck of the historic British ocean liner Titanic at a depth of about 3,810 meters.

Currently, a huge search and rescue operation is underway and there are still no positive signs, while the oxygen on the ship is expected to run out at around 5:00 p.m. today, Vietnam time.

Nargeolet began researching and exploring the wreck of the Titanic when he joined the French ocean research institute Ifremer in 1986, after 22 years of service in the French navy.

Johann said that during his exploration of the Titanic wreck, Nargeolet brought about 5,500 objects to the surface, including passengers' personal belongings, such as binoculars and letters.

He said the only part of the ship that divers have not explored so far is the safe room, where gold and jewelry are stored.

The 1997 film "Titanic," directed by James Cameron, a friend of Nargeolet's, was inspired by images taken by the French explorer, Johann said.

Nargeolet's French wife, Anne, lives in Connecticut. His children, meanwhile, live outside France.

Nargeolet was previously married to American journalist Michele Marsh, who died in 2017. They met after Marsh contacted the explorer to ask for information about a French survivor of the Titanic sinking.

Mai Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/paul-henri-nargeolet-nguoi-phap-tren-tau-ngam-mat-tich-la-chuyen-gia-titanic-post252750.html