Philadelphia University Graduate Among 5 People On Lost Titanic Submarine

It's been the top news story around the world for a few days, and now we just learned there is a Philadelphia connection to the missing OceanGate submarine. A Philadelphia University graduate is among the 5 people on the lost submersible that went to view the Titanic ruins.

Not only is there a Philadelphia University graduate on board, a Bucks County business man has taken the trip before and has friends on the vessel.

Alfred "Fred" Hagen has several friends on the deep-sea vessel, operated by OceanGate Expeditions. Fred owns Hagen Construction in Bensalem and said: "It's this iconic moment, and you've dreamt about it, and you've read about it, and suddenly it's there, and you've achieved this dream." During that trip, he was with Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who is the Underwater Research director at RMS Titanic and is currently onboard the missing submersible.

OceanGate billed the trip as an opportunity to "become one of the few to see the Titanic with your own eyes." The company said the fee for securing a seat on the vessel was $250,000, according to its website. The trip wasn't billed as mere tourism, however, with OceanGate noting that each of its dives has a scientific purpose.

The whole story is wild. I can't imagine ever imagine thinking about going on something like that, even if I had the money. However I did watch the 10 min mini documentary that was CBSNews did almost a year ago, and there was a woman who was taking the excursion who was crying because it meant so much. Some people even refinanced their house because they wanted to do so badly. Regardless of why, we are praying for a miracle and that all the passengers are safe.

Peter just went on another dive that was certified by the Coast Guard. Ocean Gate was not.

We are hoping for a miracle.
https://twitter.com/CBSNews/status/1671568385522401285?s=20

Shahzada Dawood is a billionaire father who earned a Master of Science degree in Global Textile Marketing from Philadelphia University in 2000.  He is on board with his 19-year old son Sulaiman Dawood.  A statement from their family said the duo had embarked on the "journey to visit the remnants of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean."

The other passengers are British businessman Hamish Harding; and French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, the company that operates the vessel, is also on it.