The boss of OceanGate said he believed the missing Titanic submarine was "nice and cosy" and "obscenely safe" in an unearthed interview.
Stockton Rush, a former investment banker with an aerospace degree, revealed in 2019 he was inspired to create submarine wreckage tours after realising he could capitalise on the experience by offering an airtight vessel with a viewpoint.
Mr Rush is one of the five men trapped on OceanGate's Titan submersible, which has been missing since Sunday after venturing to the wreck of the Titanic.