Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s stepson recounts memories of the French explorer who died in the OceanGate submarine tragedy

French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet was one of five passengers who died aboard the US Coast Guard-deployed submersible Titan confirmed A “catastrophic implosion” occurred near the wreckage of the Titanic on Thursday.

Nargeolet’s stepson, John Paschall, spoke to CBS New York just hours after the Coast Guard reported it had discovered two patches of debris on the seabed that were parts of the missing OceanGate submarine.

Paschall, who is also the son of the late CBS New York host Michele Marsh, said Nargeolet was affectionately known as “Mr. Titanic”.

“We’re so focused on everything he’s done in the water, but I feel like some of his greatest achievements were made out of the water,” Paschall said. “I understand that sometimes in life being a stepdad isn’t easy when you get into a situation where my dad was still in the know and I had a great relationship with him but he was always so respectful of my relationship was.” He was such an important part of my life.

Nargeolet was head of underwater research at RMS Titanic, an American company that owns the salvage rights to the wreck and runs exhibitions of artifacts from the ship. According to the company, around 30 million people have visited the exhibitions.

In an interview with CBS News this week, G. Michael Harris, founder of RMS Titanic, said he has worked with Nargeolet for 30 years and described him as an “all round good guy.”

“We first met when I was a freshman in high school,” Paschall said. “I remember the first thing he did that was meaningful to me: he helped me with a science project to build a cell and make a model of it, and I got an ‘A’ for it at the end. Science is now.” My favorite subject, and it was one of those things he never forced help with. I went and asked and he just did it.”

Nargeolet leaves behind a wife and three other children. Paschall said it was a blessing to let his stepfather be a part of his young son’s life, if only for a short time.

“I was very happy that we were able to bring this meeting together,” said Paschall. “My son was born in early 2022, in January, and to be able to experience this moment with him, to hold him in my arms, meant a lot to me. PH just meant a lot to me and my family. He had such a close connection.” Relationship with my mother. It was so meaningful to me growing up in so many ways.

Paschall said he could take solace in the fact that his stepfather died doing what he loved – exploring and being an adventurer.

“Yes, I think, in my opinion, the sea was his second home. He just felt so comfortable there,” said Paschall. “I know this discussion is all about risk and I felt like he just accepted the risk and knew what it was, but he loved what he was doing. The Titanic meant so much to him, every artifact he produced, big or small, it meant so much to him.”

The other four people on board the submarine, which went missing Sunday less than two hours after its dive, were British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his teenage son Suleman, and OceanGate CEO Stockton rush