A rescue operation is underway in the Atlantic Ocean to locate a submarine that was carrying people to view the wreckage of the Titanic. The submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, lost contact with authorities on Sunday morning, with a 96-hour oxygen supply onboard. The crew has been missing for over 32 hours.
The Canadian Coast Guard and military aircraft are assisting the search effort, led by the US Coast Guard in Boston. Despite the challenges of searching through the undulating seabed, oceanographer Chris Parry believes that there is still time to facilitate a rescue mission. The seabed is notorious for its strong currents and rough terrain, making it difficult to locate the submersible.
The Titanic wreckage, discovered in 1985, has been slowly deteriorating over the years due to metal-eating bacteria. This has led some to predict that it could vanish in decades as holes grow in the hull and sections disintegrate. OceanGate Expeditions has been conducting annual voyages to study the ocean liner’s deteriorating condition since 2021.
The latest expedition, which set out on Friday, had a crew of five, including two tourists. One of the tourists, UK businessman Hamish Harding, is the chairman of Action Aviation. The submersible, named Titan, is capable of going 13,120 feet with a comfortable safety margin. However, as it has been missing for over 32 hours, officials are working to get a remotely operated vehicle to the site as soon as possible.
Hamish Harding (Via Hamish Harding/Twitter)
The rescue efforts are focused on those onboard the submersible and their families. OceanGate Expeditions has confirmed the search and expressed gratitude for the assistance received from government agencies and deep-sea companies. Officials are working to ensure the safe return of the crew members.
The OceanGate submersible, Titan, is made of titanium and filament-wound carbon fibre and is designed to withstand the immense pressures of the deep ocean. Its viewport is the largest of any deep-going submersible, providing an unparalleled view of the deep ocean. The submersible is capable of ferrying 40 paying tourists, who would take turns operating sonar equipment and performing other tasks.
The families of the missing crew members are reportedly anxious, but officials remain hopeful that the submersible will be found and the crew rescued safely.
