VIDEO: Dubai resident Hamish Harding explores ocean’s deepest point ‘Challenger Deep’ in record-breaking attempt

Syed Shayaan Bakht, Gulf Today

Dubai resident Hamish Harding has completed his expedition to the world's lowest point, the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, on Friday in the Pacific Ocean.

The famous deep-sea explorer Victor Vescovo joined Harding.

Hamish’s social media post read, “CONGRATULATIONS to Captain Hamish Harding (@actionaviationchairman ) on completing his expedition to the world's lowest point, the #CHALLENGERDEEP and becoming the first human to traverse the entire Challenger Deep. We couldn't be more excited to hear your thoughts about the journey, Captain!”

Late in the evening, Hamish’s son shared another post that read, “Night recovery of the submersible #LimitingFactor after a long distance and duration dive, exploring and traversing the #ChallengerDeep, #MarianaTrench 's deepest point.”

Hamish Harding with his son Giles.

Victor Vescovo wrote on his Instgram, “Life finds a way... At 8 tonnes per square inch of saltwater pressure, no light, and freezing temperatures, small amphipods feast on some bait attached to Lander "Flere" at the very bottom of Challenger Deep, Mariana Trench. Took this picture from inside the submersible Limiting Factor when meeting up with the Lander yesterday. Just amazing to me, and beautiful.”

The recovery of the Limiting Factor after a long dive.

The 49-year-old Briton wants to highlight and explore new marine species at a depth of 11 km below sea level, equivalent to about 13 times the height of Burj Khalifa, in addition to searching for evidence of whether human pollution has reached this spot.

Hamish's voyage is expected to achieve a new world record, added to the Guinness Book of Records, for the greatest distance a person can travel in the depths of the ocean.

Giles Harding participating in his dad's expedition.

Harding, Chairman of Action Aviation said: “The Challenger Deep is a very harsh environment and is waiting to be explored and studied on a larger level.

“I have always been inspired by the spirit of adventure and exploration in the Emirates, as this country gives you a feeling that anything is possible, and I am proud to represent the country as the first person from the Middle East, to sink to the lowest point on Earth.

“As an adventurer and an exploration lover, I want this campaign to contribute to enriching our shared knowledge and understanding of planet Earth,” he added.

Hamish Harding’s crew at the Pacific Ocean.

Prior to diving, he said, “We will try to use a robotic arm to collect samples from the ocean floor, in the hope that some of them contain new life forms that may provide important information about the beginning of life on our planet. While looking for signs of human pollution in this remote environment, we hope to help scientific efforts to protect our oceans and ensure their prosperity for thousands of years to come. ”

The expedition was carried out aboard the Triton deep submarine, specially designed for the expedition.

A view of the Triton submarine.

His 13-year-old son, Giles Harding documented the journey aboard the DSSV Pressure Drop.

Only 18 people have managed to dive to this depth.

The year 1960 saw the first submarine descend on the ocean floor, spending only twenty minutes there before ascending to the surface. 2012 saw the first solo landing by Hollywood director James Cameron aboard a deep submergence vehicle (DSV) to this point, spending 2 hours and 34 minutes at a depth of 10,908 metres below sea level.