Kriti Mehrotra
With HBO Max’s ‘Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster’ delving deep into the June 2023 implosion of a submersible named Titanic, we get a documentary that is simply baffling. That’s because it shines a light upon not just the events leading up to the tragic day when five lives were lost 3800 meters into the water, but also the aftermath and the Coast Guard investigation into it. This original production also features exclusive interviews with those close to the matter, including businessman, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush’s friend, and one-time Titan Mission Specialist, Alfred Hagen.
Alfred Hagen is a True Adventurer and Explorer at Heart
It was in the summer of 1957 when Alfred “Fred” Hagen was born in Norwood, Pennsylvania, into a not-so-well-off family, making him realize the significance of time and money at an early age. Therefore, he spent most of his adolescent summers working on a nearby farm, during which he found his passion for the outdoors and all related activities. He even developed a tendency to take risks without any major worries because he was determined to be successful in life while also undertaking different adventures, which led him to Fairbanks, Alaska, in his early 20s.
Alfred had purchased a one-way ticket in the hopes of experiencing the Last Frontier and the thrill of the Alaska Pipeline Project, unaware he’d get into wildcat carpentry to make ends meet. He actually gradually evolved into a contractor upon gaining experience from Larry Bramhall and Alaska Builders, following which he and his partner, Galen Anderson, were framing one house every two weeks. What’s more is that he did so all the while attending the University of Alaska in the evenings and serving as an employee for the Oil Pipeline Project during the week.
It was in 1979 when Alfred returned to Pennsylvania for good and later established his own business, Hagen Constructions Inc., but he never let his adventure side go. Instead, he began traveling the world, used his success and network to make connections, and purposefully met people who were pushing the bounds of exploration because it interested him. He doesn’t mind taking risks and has a tendency to take them even when signs point him in different directions, which is what led him to purchase a ticket for OceanGate’s Titan submersible as a passenger.
Despite Issues, Alfred Hagen Fondly Remembers His Association With the Titan
According to Alfred’s own accounts, it was in 2021 when he purchased the ticket for the Titan after getting acquainted with Stockton Rush, whom he believed to be a genius innovator. However, he also understood the great risks of the experimental vessel he would be traveling in, which is why he wasn’t scared out of his wits when his first dive attempt went horribly wrong. Before they had even dived into the water, which was Titan’s 60th dive, the hatch came open and almost fell into the water, leaving him and his fellow passengers staring at the open water in front of them.
Because Stockton promised repeats if an attempt failed, he got to go on the Titan again on its 61st dive, but while they did manage to make it into the water this time, they had to come up early. The hull was making sounds, the systems were glitching, and there was just trouble, so he didn’t get to make it all the way to the Titanic even though he was excited. However, things changed in 2022 when he once again got a chance to step aboard Titanic on its #80 dive, and it was utterly successful this time around, with Alfred being a passenger as well as a Mission Specialist because he was given a few responsibilities in the sub. Therefore, of course, when it imploded in June 2023, he was shattered. He lost 2 friends on board that day, Stockton and French, an underwater wreckage explorer, Paul Henri Nargeolet.
Alfred Hagen Continues to Work Hard and Explore the World
Despite the events of the past, Alfred’s passion for exploration continues to shine, as evident in his trips to Africa, Papua New Guinea, the United Arab Emirates, and several states across the US. As if that’s not enough, he has even made clear that he understands Elon Musk’s dreams of one day exploring space and colonising Mars, so he wants to be a part of it. He has actually made it clear that he doesn’t want the tragedies of the past to lead the government to make such regulations that it hinders innovation in any way, shape, or form, especially since his belief is that space is the future of mankind.
Coming to Alfred’s professional standing, he still serves as the CEO and President of Hagen Construction in Bensalem, all the while also owning and operating a hemp farm in Buckingham. As if that’s not enough, he is even an equestrian, show jumper, and aviator who doesn’t mind showing off his skills. The Pennsylvania native even has a passion for the arts and history, which is why he doesn’t mind commissioning special paintings from artists around the world or splurging on historic artifacts for his personal collection.
In fact, Alfred now owns The Swamp Ghost, a Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress that was piloted by Captain Frederick ‘Fred’ C. Eaton Jr. during World War II, which was then ditched in a swamp on Papua New Guinea. There is even a documentary about this and his ownership of it, which premiered on the History Channel in 2020. As for Alfred’s personal standing, he appears to be a family man who holds a special place in his heart for his mother, grandmother, and kids, with whom he spends most of his holidays and vacations.
Read Mother: Tym Catterson: Where is the Ex-OceanGate Contractor Now?
