Stockton Rush (OceanGate's CEO) was known in the Seattle tech community [0]
My understanding (very much not first hand) is that he was seen as an expert in the specific engineering disciplines necessary to safely build and operate deep sea submersibles like Titan.
He was also apparently a father to members of the Seattle tech community, who are no doubt grieving at the moment.
Please remember that, for some members of the HN community, this one hits close to home.
[0] Talk at last year's GeekWire Summit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PGpjEDc96I