Hamish Harding was one of five people who died on board the deep-sea vessel near the wreckage of the Titanic (Picture: Backgrid/PA)

The sons of a British billionaire adventurer who was killed when the Titan submersible catastrophically imploded have paid tribute to a ‘loving father and family man’.

Hamish Harding, pilot and chairman of Action Aviation, was one of five people who died on board the deep-sea vessel near the wreckage of the Titanic.

The US Coast Guard announced on Thursday night that the group had been lost in a catastrophic implosion or ‘sudden collapse inwards’.

Mr Harding’s two sons, who were not named on either statement issued through the sales and operations company, said Mr Harding was the ‘best father I could have ever asked for’.

One said: ‘My dad was a tenacious, hardworking businessman – but most importantly he was the best father I could have ever asked for.

‘He inspired me more than anyone will ever know, taught me things I’ll never forget, and he meant everything to me.

‘Anyone who ever met my dad will praise his humorous personality, his sheer work ethic, and his constant generosity.

‘My life will be a success if I’m even half the man he is. My dad is gone but I will never forget him.’

Hamish Harding was a British businessman, pilot, explorer and adventurer (Picture: Backgrid)

He died aged 58 while aboard the Titan submersible (Picture: Reuters)

Mr Harding was a member of The Explorers Club and visited the South Pole several times, descended into the Mariana Trench, broke a Guinness World Record for circumnavigation of the Earth, and travelled into space.

In July 2019, he was mission director and crew pilot for the flight mission One More Orbit, which set a world speed record for the fastest circumnavigation of Earth by aircraft over both geographic poles.

Mr Harding’s second son, who was also not named in the statement issued by Action Aviation, said he was a ‘loving father, family man and a determined and tireless businessman’.

He said: ‘In all of these areas, he constantly sought to be the best man he could be and did nothing halfway.

‘Constantly full of wisdom and life advice to bestow, he made my brother and I into the people we are today.

The Titan submersible imploded, the US Coast Guard confirmed (Picture: Getty Images)

Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, Stockton Rush and Hamish Harding lost their lives in the blast (Picture: AP)

‘He was an energetic and charismatic man who by the sheer weight of his personality lifted up and supported everyone around him.

‘His tragic loss will be mourned not only by myself and my family, but everyone who had the pleasure to meet him.

‘The world is so much less without his larger-than-life presence and his optimistic spirit.’

Officials in the US have said they are ‘not sure’ they can recover the bodies of the five who died deep in the North Atlantic.

They say there is no timeframe for when they could call off any recovery efforts.

Police in Canada will also look into the circumstances surrounding the men’s deaths, it was revealed tonight.

In a press conference in St. John’s, Newfoundland today, Superintendent Kent Osmond stressed that investigations were at an early stage.

He said: ‘Today, the RCMP initiated an examination of the circumstances that led to the deaths of the five individuals on board the submersible.

‘A team of investigators has been established with the sole purpose of answering the question of whether or not a full investigation by the RCMP is warranted.

‘Such an investigation will proceed only if our examination of the circumstances indicate criminal, federal or provincial laws may possibly have been broken.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Hamish Harding, pilot and chairman of Action Aviation, was one of five people who died on board the deep-sea vessel near the wreckage of the Titanic.