An Ohio billionaire is making preparations for a new expedition titled “Return to the Titanic,” despite the failed voyage of the Titan Submersible last year.
A representative for Larry Connor confirmed to FOX Business that the real estate investor is collaborating with Patrick Lahey, co-founder and CEO of Triton Submarines, to construct a new submersible and revisit the Titanic in the summer of 2026.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Connor reached out to Lahey shortly after the Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate, collapsed last year while carrying five passengers. During their conversation, Connor expressed his desire to develop a submersible capable of withstanding the depths necessary to reach the Titanic.
With an estimated net worth of $2 billion, Connor reportedly emphasized to Lahey his intention to showcase the capabilities of Triton Submarines by successfully completing the expedition.
“I aim to demonstrate to people that despite the immense power of the ocean, it can also offer incredible beauty and transformative experiences if approached with care,” Connor stated in The Journal.
As per the report, Lahey and Connor intend to explore the depths using the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer, a two-person submarine named for its capability to dive to depths of approximately 4,000 meters.
A representative for Connor informed FOX Business that the objective of the mission is “to showcase the possibility of constructing and utilizing a unique submarine, never seen before, capable of exploring the depths of the ocean.”
Triton Submarines characterizes the vessel as a “versatile, high-performance platform tailored for professional uses.”
The Triton Submarines website describes the vessel, stating, “When fully deployed, the Gull Wings elevate the propulsion system of the vehicle above the seabed, ensuring the preservation of delicate species or unattached objects.”
The Titan submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion last June one hour and 45 minutes into its descent toward the wreck of the Titanic. The submersible passengers included U.K. billionaire Hamish Harding, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, father-son pair Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood, and French mariner Paul-Henry Nargeolet.