Titanic tourist submersible vanishes, intense search operation underway
In a gripping turn of events, an extensive search and rescue operation was launched in the vast seas of the mid-Atlantic. The mission; to search for a tourist submersible that mysteriously vanished during an exploration.
The expedition was set to explore the depths of the ocean and see the iconic Titanic wreck. US and Canadian naval forces, government agencies, and commercial deep-sea organizations are cooperating.
They aim to find and rescue the five individuals aboard the Titanic tourist submersible. The whole world awaits as the clock ticks and hopes for a safe return of the underwater explorers.
OceanGate is the tour company behind the Titanic tourist submersible. The expedition aims to go on a mission to explore the beauty and the secrets of the shipwreck.
A Titanic tourist submarine has gone missing and a rescue operation is underway.
The submarine, which can hold up to five people, tours the wreckage of the Titanic. Tickets for this cost $250,000 per person. pic.twitter.com/eXQaR3bmip
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) June 20, 2023
A wonder of engineering, the submersible set adrift from St. John in Newfoundland. According to BBC News, tickets cost $250,000 (195,000), which includes an 8-day tour with dives into the Titanic wreck.
The legendary Titanic shipwreck was situated at a depth of 3,800m (12,500ft). However, tragedy emerges when OceanGate loses contact with the Titanic tourist submersible.
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Massive Search in the Titanic Wreck and Rescue Efforts
A coordinated effort was formed in response to the distress call. US Coast Guard’s Rear Admiral John Mauger spoke in a press conference.
It is the rescuers’ race against time, as the air inside the submarine would only last for over 60 hrs, considering that 24 hrs had passed.
He addressed the hurdles along the remote search area. “We anticipate there is somewhere between 70 and the full 96 hours available at this point.”
A Titanic tourist submarine has gone missing and a rescue operation is underway.
The submarine, which can hold up to five people, tours the wreckage of the Titanic for $250,000 per person. pic.twitter.com/6Mc0RCEP1m
— Pop Base (@PopBase) June 19, 2023
With the given time, he is stressing the urgency of the rescue. A submarine, two aircraft, and sonar buoys deployment were part of the search and rescue.
Oceangate Submarine Explorers
One of the individuals aboard the missing submersible is British billionaire businessman Hamish Harding. He was also a fearless explorer and traveler.
Harding’s family, now full of anxiety, confirmed his attendance at the deep-sea exploration. They are hoping for his safe return from the ill-fated exploration.
The rescue teams share the same sentiments and are pulling all efforts to bring back all the individuals aboard the Titanic tourist submersible.
Rear Arm Mauger stated, “The rescue teams are taking this personally.” This is proof of their relentless efforts to find the missing Oceangate submarine
The weather posed an initial problem to the mission. Newfoundland is experiencing the “worst winter in 40 years.” This is a major challenge for the ongoing rescue resulting in uncertainties and further delays.
The submarine that went missing while taking people on tours to see the Titanic used a cheap Logitech controller and other off the shelf parts.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) June 20, 2023
However, Hamish Harding stayed positive about this exploration. He posted on social media how excited he was to join the mission.
Harding said he was “proud to finally announce” that he would join the mission to the Titanic wreck. But he also added that due to the “worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023”.
Titan Submarine
This engineering marvel normally carries three paying guests, a pilot, and a “content expert.” In addition, full dives to the shipwreck take about eight hours, including the dive down and return upwards.
Moreover, OceanGate has listed three submersibles they own on their website. Only the Titan has enough power to dive deep enough to reach the depths of the Titanic shipwreck.
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According to their website, the submarine weighs 10,432 kg (23,000 lbs). It can go deep up to 13,100 ft and has 96 hours of life support that can sustain life for five people.
Furthermore, OceanGate expresses its commitment to exert all possible efforts to rescue the five individuals. The firm extended its gratitude to the deep-sea firms and US government agencies assisting them in the rescue.
Overall, as the search and rescue operations continue, the whole world eagerly awaits for good news on the missing Titanic tourist submersible.
The combination of cutting-edge advancements and the unstoppable forces of nature is a testament to the unknown risks of deep-sea exploration.
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