Friend of Hamish Harding paid £110,000 to join Titanic submarine expedition but pulled out over ‘safety concerns’

21 June 2023, 19:09 | Updated: 21 June 2023, 20:24

Chris Brown was initially signed up to join the expedition.
Chris Brown was initially signed up to join the expedition. Picture: Alamy/Getty

By Jenny Medlicott

A man who was set to join his friend Hamish Harding on the OceanGate expedition said he withdrew his £110,000 payment over safety concerns.

Chris Brown, the founder of Inaccessibility.net, told LBC's Tom Swarbrick that he originally signed up to join Hamish Harding on the missing Titanic expedition but pulled out after paying £110,000.

Mr Brown was due to go on the expedition as a mission specialist.

When asked about the cost of the tour, he said: "When it initially started it was closer to £110,000. I paid £110,000 before the mission went out."

But roughly 18 months before their first expedition was due to take place, Mr Brown decided to back out.

He said: "I pulled out fairly early on. I don’t want to go into reasons while they're still searching."

He did, however, confirm his decision to back out of the mission was related to concerns about safety.

Read more: 'Banging noises' heard in search for missing Titanic sub ‘inconclusive,’ as Coast Guard say they ‘always have hope’

The explorer who narrowly avoided trip on missing OceanGate sub

When asked if he had thought about the fact he nearly ended up on the same submarine, Mr Brown replied: "“Yes that has occurred to me.

"One of the things that you’ll find in common with modern explorers is you go into these things knowing the risks.

“You always know there’s a risk there and that’s something you tend to accept.”

Mr Brown has known Hamish Harding since 2016 when they visited the south pole together, which was also attended by Buzz Aldrin.

Listen and subscribe to Unprecedented: Inside Downing Street on Global Player

Chris paid £110,000 to join the sub before backing out.
Chris paid £110,000 to join the sub before backing out. Picture: Handout

Read more: Has the Titanic sub been found? Timeline of events and latest updates

Read more: Search for missing Titanic sub will continue 'as long as there’s an opportunity for survival' says US Coast Guard chief

It comes after the US coastguard said in a press conference today that despite hearing noises during their search they were still not sure what they were.

Captain Jamie Frederick of the US Coast Guard said: "We always have hope - that's why we're doing what we do."

However, rescuers were unable to say whether the vessel is still operable, saying: "We’re not in the business of speculation, we’re in the business of searching."

The search area for the sub has massively expanded in the last 24 hours to two times the size of Connecticut.

The submersible is believed to be around 12,500ft below the surface, which makes it incredibly difficult for rescue teams to reach.

Those trapped onboard include UK billionaire Hamish Harding, two Pakistanis - Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman - Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, as well as 73-year-old French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Ian Airlie, 48, was found dead at his home in Greenwich on October 10

London man, 48, found dead at home after falling down tube escalator was involved in 'very sad and unfortunate accident'

Coercive or controlling behaviour has been placed "on a par" with other domestic abuse offences such as physical violence, as part of a new law aiming to tackle the issue.

Coercive or controlling behaviour now ‘on par’ with domestic abuse in bid to protect abuse victims

Exclusive
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) has called for a ban on cat ownership

'Cats should be kept indoors', claims PETA following proposed ban on feline pets

Prince Louis has taken this photo of his mother the Princess of Wales

Kate shares new image taken by Prince Louis to mark World Cancer Day

Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK will not be “choosing between” the European Union and the United States

Britain will not choose between EU and US, says Starmer following Trump's tariff threats

Donald Trump won’t impose tariffs on Mexico for another month after a ‘constructive conversation’ which will see Mexico reinforce its side of the border with the US.

US trade tariffs on Mexico paused for a month after border deal

Teachers Fiona Elias (L) and Liz Hopkin (R) were stabbed at the school in Wales.

Girl, 14, found guilty of attempted murder after stabbing two teachers and pupil at school

The school was put on lockdown and a teenages has been arrested after the stabbing.

Boy, 15, dies after stabbing at school in Sheffield - as teenager, 15, arrested

He was travelling back from Tavistock alongside club physio Reighan Taylor when the car sustained a flat tyre.

Former Bournemouth ace fighting for life in coma after horror car crash

Thames Water will seek High Court approval for an emergency £3bn rescue plan

Thames Water seeks High Court approval for emergency cash amid £17bn of debt

By Tuesday a band of rain moves east across England and Wales.

Britain to be battered with heavy downpours and strong winds as band of rain set to sweep through UK

Donald Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Its Sixth Test Flight Of Starship Spacecraft

Donald Trump axes $40billion US foreign aid agency after taking advice from Elon Musk

Idrees Jaff, of Norwich, reportedly attacked the victim at 11pm on June 10 in Chapelfield Gardens

Man, 39, faces jail after raping male victim in late-night attack in city centre park

The school was put on lockdown and a teenages has been arrested after the stabbing.

Stabbing at school gate: 15-year-old teenager arrested as boy, 15, rushed to hospital and classrooms 'locked down’

Gregor Poynton, chair of the APPG and MP for Livingston, has attacked Elon musk after his social media platform X refused to remove the video.

‘Grotesque glorification of violence’ - MP slams Musk for not removing extreme video seen by Southport killer

Daniel Khalife's escape led to a nationwide manhunt.

'More Scooby Doo than 007': Daniel Khalife sentenced to 14 years in jail after prison escape and spying for Iran