A search is underway for missing submarine that takes people to see Titanic

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Rescue Efforts Underway for Missing Submarine Enabling Titanic Exploration

In the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, a search and rescue operation is currently in progress to locate a submarine dedicated to offering an up-close view of the Titanic wreckage.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, reported that the submarine was declared overdue at approximately 9:13 p.m. on Sunday, situated approximately 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Led by the U.S. Coast Guard in Boston, the search effort involves assistance from a Canadian Coast Guard vessel and military aircraft.

OceanGate Expeditions, the company responsible for the submarine, confirmed their active involvement in locating the missing vessel. Their primary focus is on the well-being of those onboard and their families.

“We express deep gratitude for the extensive support received from multiple government agencies and deep-sea companies as we strive to establish contact with the submersible,” stated OceanGate in a released statement. “Our priority is ensuring the safe return of the crew members.”

According to retired U.K. Navy Rear Admiral Chris Parry, speaking to Sky News, the ongoing rescue operation poses significant challenges due to the complex nature of the seabed. The Titanic rests in a trench, surrounded by debris, making it exceedingly difficult to employ sonar and target the precise search area with another submersible.

OceanGate Expeditions initiated their annual expedition in 2021, aiming to document the gradual deterioration of the iconic ocean liner that sank in 1912 after colliding with an iceberg. Out of the approximately 2,200 passengers and crew, only around 700 survived the tragic incident. Since the discovery of the wreckage in 1985, the ship has been gradually corroding due to metal-consuming bacteria. Some experts predict that the vessel may disappear entirely within a few decades as holes in the hull expand and sections disintegrate.

The initial group of tourists funded the expedition by individually contributing between $100,000 and $150,000. OceanGate’s 2023 voyage marked their third visit to the sunken liner’s location, aiming to document its deterioration and observe the marine life that inhabits the area.

The expedition was scheduled to depart from St. John’s, Newfoundland, in early May and conclude at the end of June, as per court documents filed by OceanGate in April with a U.S. District Court in Virginia overseeing Titanic-related matters.

To transport numerous individuals and the submersible craft to the North Atlantic wreck site, OceanGate enlisted the services of the Canadian vessel Polar Prince, a medium-duty icebreaker formerly operated by the Canadian Coast Guard.

The Titan, the 5-person submersible involved in the operation, has the capability to dive to depths of 4,000 meters or 13,120 feet with a sufficient safety margin, as stated by OceanGate in their court filing. The submersible weighs 20,000 pounds (9,072 kilograms) in the air but is ballasted to achieve neutral buoyancy upon reaching the seafloor. Constructed using titanium and filament-wound carbon fiber, the Titan has demonstrated its ability to withstand the immense pressures of the deep ocean. OceanGate also highlighted the submersible’s significant viewport, which provides an unparalleled view of the deep ocean.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Titanic exploration

More about Titanic exploration

• OceanGate Expeditions
• U.S. Coast Guard
• Titanic Wreckage
• Joint Rescue Coordination Centre
• Polar Prince