The Search for the Missing Titanic Sub: What We Know So Far
The world is watching as the search for the missing OceanGate Titan submersible continues. On June 18, the submersible carrying a 5-person crew lost communication with its mothership, Polar Prince, during an excursion to explore the wreckage of the Titanic in the North Atlantic. With each passing day, rescuers are working tirelessly to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of the submersible and its passengers. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the latest updates and key details surrounding the search for the Titanic sub.
How Did the Submersible Go Missing?
- The Descent to the Wreckage
The submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, began its two-hour descent to the wreck of the Titanic on Sunday, June 18, according to officials.
- Losing Contact with Polar Prince
The Titanic submersible lost contact with the Polar Prince, the support ship that transported the craft to the location in the North Atlantic, approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into the descent.
- Search Operations
Search operations began on the same day as the sub’s disappearance, but the search area has been challenging to navigate due to the remote location and depth of the wreckage.
What We Know About the Noises
- Banging Sounds
Banging sounds were identified by Canadian aircraft on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipment was relocated to where the noises were detected, according to Capt. Jamie Frederick, the response coordinator for the First Coast Guard District. But searches in the area “yielded negative results,” he said. Data from the plane that identified the noises was sent to the US Navy, but has so far been inconclusive,” Frederick said, adding that the Coast Guard does not know what the sounds were.
What Could It Be Like Onboard?
- Life Support and Limited Rations
The vessel begins each trip with 96 hours of life support, according to OceanGate – and officials believe the five people on board have “limited rations” of food and water. Ret. Navy Capt. David Marquet, a former submarine captain, told CNN the near-freezing water at that depth is probably making the situation very uncomfortable. “There’s frost on the inside of the parts of the submarine. They’re all huddled together trying to conserve their body heat. They’re running low on oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide,” he said.
The Polar Prince
- Supporting the Search Crew
The support vessel that brought the submersible to the dive site will remain in the ocean until the search is complete, the operator said Wednesday. Horizon Maritime Services said the Polar Prince’s role is to support the Coast Guard, and searchers are “very aware of the time sensitivity around this mission.” There is a crew of 17 people on the vessel, said Sean Leet, the company’s co-founder and chairman.
Concerns Surrounding the Titan Submersible
- Former Employees Cite Safety Concerns
Two former employees of OceanGate Expeditions separately raised safety concerns about the thickness of the missing Titan submersible’s hull when they were employed by the company years ago.
- Engineering and Testing of the Submersible
A statement from a research lab appears to show conflicting information about the engineering and testing that went into the development of the vessel.
What Happened to the Titanic Submersible?
- Pieces of the Sub Found
On June 22, pieces of the Titan submersible were found on the sea floor nearly 500 meters from the bow of the Titanic. Search officials said that the sub experienced a catastrophic implosion, and concluded that all five passengers are dead.
Conclusion
As rescuers continue their search efforts, we hope to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of the Titanic submersible and its passengers. With the latest updates and key details surrounding the case, we can only wait and watch as the world holds its breath.
FAQs
1. What is the OceanGate Titan submersible?
The OceanGate Titan submersible is a deep-sea vehicle operated by OceanGate Expeditions. It was designed to accomplish deep-sea missions and carry passengers on deep-sea excursions.
2. How long can the submersible’s life support last?
The submersible begins each trip with 96 hours of life support, according to OceanGate.
3. What happened to the submersible?
The OceanGate Titan submersible lost communication with its mothership on June 18, 2023, during an expedition to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. Pieces of the submersible were later found on the sea floor, nearly 500 meters from the bow of the Titanic.
4. What caused the submersible to experience a catastrophic implosion?
The cause of the implosion is still unknown, but search officials concluded that all five passengers on board are dead.
5. What are the safety concerns surrounding the Titan submersible?
Former employees of OceanGate Expeditions separately raised safety concerns about the thickness of the missing Titan submersible’s hull when they were employed by the company years ago. A statement from a research lab also appears to show conflicting information about the engineering and testing that went into the development of the vessel.
