Jay Bloom, a Jewish investor and prominent figure in Las Vegas, informed Rush Stockton, the CEO of OceanGate, who tragically perished during the notorious final expedition, that he was unable to participate until the following year due to scheduling constraints.
As a result, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood, took Bloom’s reserved seats, and tragically, they were among the five individuals who lost their lives in the incident.
Bloom shared the following post on Facebook after hearing the tragic news.
“So. I decided to share some of my texts with Stockton Rush, the CEO and founder of OceanGate, the company that built and operated the sub, Titan, that we have all been following this last week.
In February Stockton asked me and my son, Sean, to go with him on the dive to Titanic in May. Both May dives were postponed due to weather and the dive got delayed until June 18th, the date of this trip.
I expressed safety concerns and Stockton told me:
“While there’s obviously risk it’s way safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving. There hasn’t been even an injury in 35 years in a non-military subs.”
I am sure he really believed what he was saying. But he was very wrong.
He passionately believed in what he was doing.
The last time I saw Stockton in person was March 1st. He took me through the Titanic Exhibit at Luxor. Then, at lunch in the Luxor food court we talked about the dive, including safety. He was absolutely convinced that it was safer than crossing the street.
He gave me a book of photos (1 of 324 produced) signed by him and Paul Henri Nargeolet, two of the five onboard the sub.
I told him that due to scheduling we couldn’t go until next year. Our seats went to Shahzada Dawood and his 19 year old son, Suleman Dawood, two of the other three who lost their lives on this excursion (the fifth being Hamish Harding).
One last time.. RIP Stockton and crew.
As for Sean and I, after this right on the heels last week of losing Treat Williams, another friend of 25 years and former business partner, we are going to take a minute to stop and smell the roses.
Tomorrow is never promised. Make the most of today.”
Images of texts between Stockton and Bloom:
