What is the Current Status of the Missing Titan Submersible?
The Titan, a submersible vessel, lost communication with tour operators on Sunday while about 700km (435 miles) south of St John’s, Newfoundland, during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck off the coast of Canada. The race against time to find the vessel entered a new phase of desperation as the final hours of oxygen possibly left on board ticked off the clock.
How Much Oxygen Might Be Left?
The 6.7-metre-long OceanGate Expeditions vessel began its descent at 8am (12:00 GMT) on Sunday. With a 96-hour air supply from the time it is sealed, according to its specifications, the US Coast Guard estimated oxygen in the submersible would have run out at about 10:00 GMT on Thursday. However, this can vary depending on a few factors, such as whether the sub still has power in the icy depths.
UPDATE
The submarine has officially run out of air.
If they are still alive at this moment, they must be in darkness, with little oxygen, surrounded by foul smells, vomit, urine, etc. Some of them must be unconscious, delirious, and hearing the creaking of the submarine as it moves and hits other objects. The submarine doesn’t have room to stand, so they must be experiencing muscle pain and breathing problems. Some of them must be blaming the creator, they must be living a torture. The navy and other rescue teams are attempting to find the missing submariners, but the outcome of the search is uncertain.
What are the Latest Developments in the Search Mission?
The area of the search has been expanded, with the surface search now about 26,000 square kilometres, and the sub-surface search about four kilometres deep. The French research ship L’Atalante, which carries a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), Victor 6000, has been sent to aid in the search efforts. The United States Coast Guard had five surface vessels searching for Titan on Wednesday and expected there to be 10 by Thursday.
Who Else is Participating in the Search?
Several entities are participating in the search, including the Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, which was supporting the Titan, and the Canadian military, which dropped sonar buoys to listen for any possible sounds from the Titan. Two US Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft were conducting overflights, and three C-17s from US Air Mobility Command have also been used to move another commercial company’s submersible and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St John’s to aid in the search.
What were the Noises Reported Earlier?
Underwater noises were heard on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, although experts have been unable to determine the cause of the sound. Analysis of the sonar buoy data was “inconclusive”.
What are the Possible Conditions Out at Sea?
The area of the North Atlantic where the Titan lost contact is prone to fog and stormy conditions, making it an extremely challenging environment to conduct a search and rescue mission.
Who is on the Submersible?
Pakistani and British nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, British adventurer Hamish Harding, OceanGate’s chief executive and founder Stockton Rush and French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, are reportedly in the Titan.
How Deep are They?
The Titan is believed to be about 1,450km (900 miles) east and 640km south of Newfoundland. It is not known how deep the vessel is, with the seabed about 3,800 metres from the surface.
