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A Las Vegas billionaire has exposed OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush's attempt to sell him discounted tickets for the ill-fated Titanic dive, claiming it would be safer than crossing the street. Jay Bloom, a property financing tycoon and former business partner of actor Treat Williams, shared text messages revealing Rush's sales pitch for the spots that were ultimately filled by Shahzada Dawood and his son Sulaiman.
As early as April, Rush began offering a last-minute price of $150,000, a significant $100,000 reduction from the usual cost of $250,000. Bloom and his son had expressed concerns about the sub's safety, prompting the discount. In a text exchange with the CEO, Bloom revealed that his son had researched potential risks and expressed unease about the dangers involved.
Rush, dismissive of the concerns, listed various perceived threats to the vessel, including attacks by sea creatures and anything that could compromise the hull. He brushed off these concerns as "stupid stuff" and assured Bloom that the dive was much safer than activities like helicopter flights or scuba diving. According to Rush, there had been no injuries in 35 years of non-military sub dives.
Bloom declined the seats because of safety concerns
Bloom recalled a meeting with Rush, where they discussed the dive and safety concerns. The conversation took place during a lunch and visit to the Titanic Exhibit in Las Vegas. Bloom described Rush's unwavering confidence in the safety of the dive, claiming that the CEO believed it was safer than crossing the street. However, Bloom emphasized that Rush's beliefs were ultimately proven wrong.
Bloom mentioned that he declined the seats that were later occupied by Shahzada Dawood and his son. He revealed that his own son, while terrified of the Titanic trip, reluctantly joined to please his father. Tragically, they, along with Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, lost their lives in the submarine.
Bloom expressed the profound impact of the submarine deaths, particularly as they occurred shortly after the loss of his friend and former business partner, Treat Williams, in a motorcycle accident. Reflecting on the fragility of life, Bloom concluded with a reminder to seize the present moment and make the most of each day.