There has been significant media coverage surrounding the disappearance of OceanGate’s submersible Titan. As rescue operations are currently in progress, there is growing interest in understanding the circumstances of the vessel’s disappearance and the feasibility of a successful rescue mission. Detailed information regarding the timing, cause, and prospects of the rescue operation will be provided to keep everyone informed.
When and how did Titan go missing?
On June 18, 2023, the submersible named Titan was on a tourist expedition to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. However, communication with the submersible was unexpectedly lost approximately one hour and 45 minutes into its dive. Concerns were raised when the submersible did not resurface as scheduled, prompting authorities to be notified. The submersible had five passengers on board who had planned for a 10-hour round trip, but unfortunately, the vessel went missing in the North Atlantic Ocean.
🚨 TITANIC SUB UPDATE: The Titan submersible lost near the Titanic has only 20 HOURS of oxygen left.
This means the sub MUST be found within 12 hours from now, or the team of five will most likely suffocate during the 8 hour journey back to the surface.
Last-ditch search &… pic.twitter.com/kCxseFEiMz
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 21, 2023
After losing contact with the support ship Polar Prince, which transported the submersible Titan to the Titanic site, search operations were initiated due to the submersible’s failure to return at its designated time. The exact reasons for the loss of contact and the proximity of Titan to the Titanic before its disappearance have yet to be confirmed.
According to information provided on the OceanGate website, the dimensions of the submersible Titan are approximately 8 feet in height, 9 feet in width, and 22 feet in length, with a weight of 23,000 pounds. It is designed to dive to depths of up to 13,000 feet in the ocean and is built to withstand immense pressure, handling up to 150 million pounds of pressure.
Titan: Can the missing submarine be rescued?
Authorities have provided information that the submersible Titan is projected to exhaust its four-day supply of breathable air by the morning of June 22, 2023. Alongside the diminishing oxygen levels, the passengers on board the carbon-fiber and titanium submersible are facing additional challenges such as limited rations. The prolonged confinement may lead to symptoms such as organ failure, weakness, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
Multiple agencies including the US Coast Guard, US Navy, US Air Force, Canadian Coast Guard, and Canadian military are actively participating in the search operation. Furthermore, France has dispatched a research ship equipped with an underwater robot to aid in the quest for Titan.
Titanic-tour submarine now has around 4 hours of oxygen supply.
It will take the submarine around 3 hours alone to get to the surface. pic.twitter.com/vAFSQk2H9A
— Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) June 22, 2023
In addition to the involvement of boats, aircraft, and sonar equipment in the search efforts, various private and commercial groups have joined the mission as well. Recent reports indicate that the search includes three C-130 aircraft and three C-17 transport planes from the US military, along with patrol aircraft and two surface ships from the Canadian military. Furthermore, an underwater robot has been deployed to explore the area where Titan was last seen.
Recently, during the ongoing rescue mission, officials detected underwater sounds described as “banging” and “acoustic feedback.” While these sounds offer a glimmer of hope, the search operation remains complex due to factors such as the remote location, the depth of the ocean, limited oxygen supply, and challenging weather conditions.
The five individuals aboard the OceanGate’s submersible Titan are Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a French maritime explorer, Hamish Harding, the chairman of Action Aviation, Shahzada Dawood, a prominent Pakistani, and Suleman Dawood, Shahzada’s son. Their safety and well-being are of utmost concern as the rescue efforts continue.
