The US Coast Guard has redirected its efforts in the search for the missing Ocean Gate Expeditions submersible by deploying robotic undersea technology. The search teams detected underwater sounds in the North Atlantic while scanning the area in search of the tourist vessel that embarked on a journey to explore the century-old Titanic ruins in the Canadian seas.
Vanishing act
The submersible, known as Titan, disappeared with five passengers, including crew members, during their deep-sea expedition. The sounds of the submersible were initially detected by a Canadian aircraft on the third day of the search. With only 24 hours of oxygen supply presumed to be left, the situation is becoming increasingly urgent.
The missing Titanic submersible
The Titan, a 21-foot-long submersible operated by OceanGate Expeditions, lost contact with its surface vessel on Sunday morning, approximately one hour and 45 minutes into what should have been a two-hour dive to the Titanic wreck site. According to the specifications, the mini-sub was designed to remain underwater for 96 hours, giving the occupants until Thursday morning before their air supply would run out, provided the craft is still intact.
A mystery unfolds
As search teams from the US, Canada, and France intensify their efforts, the fate of the submersible and those on board remains unknown. The search area spans a vast stretch of open sea larger than the state of Connecticut. The Titanic wreck lies approximately 12,500 feet beneath the surface of the North Atlantic, east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and south of St John’s, Newfoundland.
Extensive search operations
As part of the search efforts, numerous planes and ships from the US Coast Guard, US Navy, and Canadian armed services have been scouring more than 7,600 square miles of the North Atlantic. Despite the extensive operations, tangible evidence of the missing Titan submersible has yet to be found.
The passengers on board
Among the passengers on the ill-fated tourist expedition were British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions. The identities of the passengers have not been officially confirmed by authorities.
Robotic search operations redirected
The search efforts have now been redirected to the area where underwater sounds were detected. The US Coast Guard utilized Lockheed P-3 Orion turboprop airplanes equipped with sub-surface surveillance technology to detect submarines. Additionally, sonar buoys were dropped by the Canadian military to listen for any sounds originating from the Titan. A commercial vessel equipped with a remote-controlled deepwater submersible was also involved in the search. Additionally, at the US Navy’s request, a French research ship with its own diving robot submersible was sent to the search area.
Relocating the search
Based on data from the Canadian P-3 aircraft, the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) searches were relocated to explore the origin of the detected sounds. However, these searches have thus far yielded negative results. The P-3 data has been shared with US Navy experts for further analysis to be considered in future search plans. The nature and extent of the sounds have not been disclosed by the Coast Guard.
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Remembering the Titanic
The sinking of the Titanic in 1912, which claimed the lives of over 1,500 people, remains an event of great significance. Books and films, including the blockbuster movie “Titanic” released in 1997, have immortalized the tragedy and renewed popular interest in the wreck. The ongoing search for the missing submersible serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Titanic disaster.
As the search for the missing submersible continues, rescue teams face immense challenges in locating and rescuing the occupants. The vastness of the search area, the depth of the ocean, and the limited air supply of the submersible add to the complexity of the operation. The fate of the missing submersible and its passengers remains uncertain, and efforts are ongoing to uncover the truth behind this mysterious disappearance in the depths of the North Atlantic.
