Mr Beast, the renowned YouTube creator known for his extravagant stunts and challenges, revealed that he had been offered an invitation to join OceanGate’s submersible for an expedition to the wreckage of the Titanic. However, he ultimately declined the offer, a decision he now considers fortuitous following the tragic incident that occurred on Sunday, June 18.
In a tweet on Sunday morning, Mr Beast shared his experience, stating, “I was invited earlier this month to ride the titanic submarine, I said no. Kind of scary that I could have been on it.” The Titan submersible operated by OceanGate lost contact with its surface support ship during a dive to the Atlantic Ocean’s depths where the Titanic rests. On Thursday, the company issued a statement confirming that all five members on board were presumed to have died after the submersible experienced a “catastrophic implosion.”
I was invited earlier this month to ride the titanic submarine, I said no. Kind of scary that I could have been on it pic.twitter.com/bQUnaRiczA
— MrBeast (@MrBeast) June 25, 2023
The identity of the person who extended the invitation to Mr Beast remains unclear. Alongside his tweet, MrBeast included a screenshot of a text message he had apparently sent, mentioning his plan to visit the Titanic in a submarine and expressing the team’s enthusiasm to have him join. With over 162 million subscribers, Mr Beast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, holds the distinction of being the most-followed individual YouTube creator.
MrBeast has gained immense popularity and is estimated to be the highest-earning creator on YouTube. His content revolves around extravagant giveaways, daring stunts, and various charitable initiatives. Notably, his 2021 viral reenactment of the Netflix series “Squid Game” awarded the winner a staggering $446,000 prize.
The tragic incident involving the OceanGate Titan submersible has captivated global attention. The news prompted James Cameron, the director of the film “Titanic,” to comment on the safety concerns surrounding the sub. Cameron revealed that members of the diving community had expressed worry about its safety. In response, Guillermo Söhnlein, co-founder of OceanGate, defended the company’s commitment to safety and emphasised that risk mitigation was an integral part of their corporate culture.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks involved in deep-sea exploration. Submersibles play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the underwater world, but their operation demands meticulous attention to safety protocols and risk management. As the investigation into the tragic implosion of the Titan submersible continues, the diving and exploration communities will undoubtedly reflect on this incident to further enhance safety measures in future expeditions.
MrBeast’s decision to decline the invitation, coupled with the subsequent catastrophe, highlights the importance of prudent decision-making and risk assessment in potentially dangerous situations. The incident serves as a reminder that even seemingly exciting opportunities should be carefully evaluated, particularly when it comes to ventures involving heightened risks.
As the global community mourns the loss of the crew members aboard the Titan submersible, the incident underscores the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to prioritise safety in underwater exploration and ensure the well-being of those involved in these extraordinary endeavours.
