In a race against time, search teams are frantically searching for a missing submersible that failed to return from a dive to the Titanic wreck. The tourist sub, named the Titan, had five people on board when contact was lost approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the dive on Sunday.
Despite extensive international rescue efforts, which have covered a vast area of 26,000 square kilometers, no signs of the lost sub have been found so far, according to US Coast Guard officials. The search is being conducted in waters approximately 700 kilometers south of St. John's, Newfoundland.
The rescue operation has expanded its search into deeper waters in the mid-Atlantic, but as of now, no significant findings have been reported. The complexity of the search, combined with the vast area to cover, presents significant challenges for the search teams.
The submersible, equipped with a 96-hour oxygen supply, set off on its journey on Sunday morning. However, concerns are mounting as the oxygen supply could run out by Thursday morning.
David Pogue, a CBS News journalist, expressed grim possibilities, stating, "There are only two things that could mean. Either they lost all power or the ship developed a hull breach and it imploded instantly. Both of those are devastatingly hopeless."
The submersible boasted seven backup systems designed to facilitate a safe return to the surface, including sandbags, lead pipes, and an inflatable balloon. Remarkably, one system is capable of functioning even if everyone on board is unconscious.
Experts have outlined the challenging nature of the rescue operation. Alistair Greig, a professor of marine engineering at University College London, explained that submersibles typically have a drop weight to initiate an emergency ascent to the surface. However, in the case of a power and communication failure, the submersible may be floating on the surface awaiting discovery.
Alternatively, if a leak in the pressure hull occurred, the situation becomes dire. Greig emphasized that if the submersible has descended to the seabed and is unable to return under its own power, the available options are extremely limited. Accessing depths beyond the continental shelf is highly challenging, and attaching to the submersible poses further complications.
As the search efforts continue, the Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, accompanied by a Canadian Boeing P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, is conducting surface searches. Additionally, two US Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft have been conducting overflights. Sonar buoys have been deployed by the Canadian military to listen for any possible sounds from the missing sub.
Efforts are underway to deploy a remotely operated vehicle capable of diving to a depth of 6 kilometers to aid in the search. OceanGate Expeditions, overseeing the mission, is working diligently to facilitate this deployment.
OceanGate's expeditions to the Titanic wreck site involve archaeologists, marine biologists, and mission specialists, who are paying customers that take part in operating sonar equipment and performing various tasks within the submersible.
While authorities have yet to officially identify those on board the Titan, several names have been confirmed, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, renowned British adventurer Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessmen Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet.
State-of-the-art features
OceanGate, founded in 2009 by its visionary leader Rush, has been at the forefront of submersible technology. Designed with cutting-edge technology and operated by a video game controller, OceanGate's state-of-the-art submersible, the Titan, has been making waves. The Titan was specifically designed to reach depths of 13,123 feet required to explore the Titanic wreck, resting at approximately 12,500 feet below the surface.
The Titan, described as a cutting-edge submersible, was developed with the assistance of NASA and aerospace manufacturers. Rush praised its technology, highlighting that it is the largest carbon fiber structure known, boasting 5-inch-thick carbon fiber and 3.25-inch-thick titanium.
Equipped with a 96-hour oxygen supply, this 12-foot carbon-fiber vessel iensures the safety and endurance of its crew during their deep-sea expeditions. The submersible incorporates a real-time hull monitoring system, which analyses the effects of changing pressure on the vessel's structure. This feature allows for continuous assessment of the sub's integrity while navigating the immense pressure at great depths.
During expeditions to the Titanic wreck site, located approximately 370 miles from St. John's, Newfoundland, the Titan carries a pilot and four mission specialists. These highly skilled individuals embark on eight-day trips, with each dive to the wreck and ascent taking around eight hours. The price tag for passengers wishing to join these extraordinary journeys stands at approximately $250,000, reflecting the exclusivity and uniqueness of the experience.
To facilitate communication, the Titan utilises two systems: text messages exchanged with a surface ship and safety pings emitted every 15 minutes to indicate the sub's operational status. Additionally, the vessel relies on SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications system, ensuring reliable connectivity while at sea.
However, the Titan's capabilities and resilience were tested during a previous expedition when communications with the submersible momentarily failed. CBS correspondent David Pogue recounted the nerve-wracking experience of being lost at sea for over two hours before communications were restored. These incidents emphasise the risks and challenges associated with deep-sea exploration but also underscore the importance of continuous advancements in safety measures.
