OceanGate Expeditions listed a job posting for a submersible pilot on its web site while a frantic search and rescue mission was underway for five missing tourists in the doomed Titan bound for the Titanic wreckage site.
Social media was abuzz on Friday after screenshots of the ad, which was posted before the Coast Guard announced on Thursday that all five people aboard the Titan had perished, were widely circulated.
OceanGate posted the ad in search of a “Submersible Pilot/Marine Technician” who would “help manage and operate our fleet of manned submersibles and support vessels.”
“We are looking for a committed and competent individual with combination of strong mechanical and interpersonal skills who can work on sensitive marine equipment, perform regular maintenance and operate complex systems to support dive operations,” the ad stated.
The ad sparked a slew of macabre jokes on social media, with one user quipping, “I can’t work under that kind of pressure.”
“Can I apply with gaming experience and absolutely no will to live?” wrote another — an apparent reference to reports that OceanGate used a $50 gaming controller to steer the Titan submersible.
“Heard they have some openings in upper management as well,” wrote another.
The company site was taken down, but the ad is still visible through the WayBack Machine archive.
According to reports, the company’s main offices in Washington State were closed indefinitely.
The requirements of the job include a “willingness and ability to work offshore for weeks at a time as required” as well as “experience operating small boats and working on large commercial vessels.”
“This is an excellent opportunity for a high-energy professional who is interested in a long-term position with a growing company.”
The ad continued: “The successful candidate will be self-driven, flexible, positive, and willing to work in a small, close-knit team environment; must have the drive to follow through on tasks and be goal-oriented.”
“Competitive salary and benefits/medical package” is included, according to the ad.
Social media users were astonished at the ad.
“That’s just macabre,” one Twitter user remarked.
Another Twitter user commented: “They looking for a new CEO too?”
OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush was among the five people who died in the Titan submersible.
“Hiring now?! They need to close for good,” another Twitter user wrote.
“They might as well go ahead and file bankruptcy RN,” wrote another Twitter user.
The passengers included 61-year-old OceanGate boss, Rush, as well as Titanic specialist Paul-Henri Nargeolet, UK billionaire explorer Hamish Harding and Pakistani billionaire and mogul Shanzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Sulaiman.