Search underway for missing Titanic tourist submersible

A large-scale search and rescue operation is currently underway in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean after a tourist submarine vanished during a dive to explore the wreckage of the Titanic on Sunday.

The US Coast Guard reported that contact with the small submersible was lost approximately one hour and 45 minutes into its dive.

OceanGate, the tour company responsible, is exploring all possible options to rescue the five individuals who were onboard.

Tickets for the eight-day trip, which included dives to the wreckage situated at a depth of 3,800m (12,500ft), were priced at $250,000 (£195,000).

Government agencies, the US and Canadian navies, as well as commercial deep-sea companies, are collaborating in the rescue efforts.

The Titanic’s wreckage lies around 435 miles (700km) south of St. John’s, Newfoundland. However, the rescue mission is being coordinated from Boston, Massachusetts.

The missing submarine is believed to be OceanGate’s Titan submersible, a sub about the size of a truck capable of accommodating five people. It typically carries a four-day emergency supply of oxygen.

During a news conference on Monday afternoon, Rear Adm John Mauger of the US Coast Guard stated that they anticipated having between 70 and 96 hours to work with at that point.

He further mentioned that the search operation involved two aircraft, a submarine, and sonar buoys. However, the remote location of the search area presented challenges.

Rear Adm Mauger emphasized that the rescue teams were fully committed to bringing those onboard back safely and stated that they were personally invested in the mission.

The family of Hamish Harding, a 58-year-old British billionaire businessman and explorer, confirmed that he was among the individuals on the missing submarine.

Over the weekend, Mr. Harding took to social media to express his pride in being part of the Titanic expedition. However, he also noted that due to adverse weather conditions, this might be the only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023.

OceanGate expressed its utmost concern for the crewmembers in the submersible and their families, assuring that every effort was being made to re-establish contact.

The company promotes the eight-day trip in its carbon-fiber submersible as an opportunity to escape everyday life and discover something truly extraordinary.

According to their website, one expedition is currently in progress, while two more are scheduled for June 2024.

The submersible typically accommodates a pilot, three paying passengers, and what the company refers to as a “content expert”.

The journey commences from St. John’s in Newfoundland. According to reports, each complete dive, including the descent and ascent, takes approximately eight hours.

OceanGate’s website presents a list of three submersibles under its ownership, with only the Titan possessing the capability to reach the depths necessary to reach the Titanic wreckage.

The vessel weighs 23,000 lbs (10,432 kg) and, as stated on the website, can descend to depths of up to 13,100 ft. It also provides 96 hours of life support for a crew of five.

The Polar Prince, a vessel utilized for transporting submersibles to the wreckage site, was involved in the expedition, as confirmed by its owner in an interview with the BBC.

According to David Pogue, a CBS reporter who had previously traveled in the Titan submersible, both the crew inside the submersible and the support team on land are likely facing challenges. Pogue informed the BBC that there is currently no means of communication with the vessel underwater, as GPS and radio signals do not function in that environment.

Pogue explained, “When the support ship is directly above the submersible, they can exchange short text messages. However, it is evident that they are no longer receiving any responses.”

He further noted that due to the passengers being sealed inside the submersible with external bolts, there is no way to escape independently, even if they were to ascend to the surface. Exiting the submersible requires the assistance of the crew located outside.

During its inaugural journey from Southampton to New York in 1912, the Titanic, renowned as the largest ship of its era, tragically collided with an iceberg. Out of the 2,200 passengers and crew members aboard, over 1,500 lost their lives.

Since its discovery in 1985, the wreckage of the Titanic has been subject to extensive exploration.

The remnants of the ship are divided into two sections, with the bow and stern approximately 2,600 feet apart. The broken vessel is surrounded by a vast field of debris.