The untimely demise of Paul-Henri Nargeolet, the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, Inc., (RMST) recently prompted officials to call off a planned 2024 expedition to recover artifacts from the Titanic shipwreck site.
Nargeolet, who played a key figure in the company's efforts to recover and exhibit artifacts from the doomed vessel, was one of five people who died during the Titan submersible's final dive in June.
"Out of respect for P.H. Nargeolet and his family, and the other four people who perished so recently at the site, and their families, the company has decided that artifact recovery would not be appropriate at this time," the firm wrote.
Additionally, RMST will withhold sending another crewed submersible to the Titanic until further investigation into the Titan's implosion is conducted by the US Coast Guard.
Prior to the June tragedy, RMST had intended to capture interior and exterior images of the Titanic, as well as retrieve objects from the debris field and freestanding items within the sunken ocean liner, including items from the iconic Marconi room.
The change in plans raises questions about the company's legal battle with the US government, which seeks to prevent any physical intrusion into the Titanic's hull, citing federal law that designates the wreck as a gravesite. A hearing is scheduled for Friday in US District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, where the case will likely continue to be a contentious legal issue.
"In light of the OceanGate tragedy, the loss of our dear colleague Paul-Henri 'P.H.' Nargeolet, and the ongoing investigation, we have opted to amend our previous filing to only conduct unmanned imaging and survey work at this time," RMS Titanic, Inc. CEO Jessica Sanders explained.
The latest comes as the US Coast Guard revealed on Tuesday that officials had recovered additional debris, including "presumed" human remains. The findings have since been sent for further analysis.