Latest Updates

• Canadian search mission aircraft have recently detected banging noises from a location near the vicinity where the submarine was last seen.
• The search operators reported hearing the banging sound after every 30 minutes, but the source has yet to be found.
• There are 40 hours of oxygen remaining in the submersible, giving the rescuers less than two days to locate it.

What Is The Story Behind The Missing Titanic Submarine?

On Sunday, a submarine started its journey with five tourists towards the Titanic Wrecks, located in the North Atlantic Ocean, 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The wrecks lie approximately 12,500 feet below the ocean’s surface. The submersible remained in direct contact with the Polar Prince, the support ship that transported it near the destination. After 1 hour and 45 minutes, the connection with the Polar Prince was lost.

The submersible is designed to accommodate up to five people at a time and provides 96 hours of oxygen. Currently, there are 40 hours of oxygen remaining, leaving the rescue operations less than two days to locate the missing submarine. Each person in the submersible paid a sum of $250,000 for one seat to embark on this unique journey and experience the Titanic wreck site.

Who Is On Board?

The submersible departed for the Titanic wrecks with 5 individuals on board:

1. Hamish Harding

A 58-year-old businessman known for his involvement in numerous adventurous expeditions. He has previously traveled to space and has visited the South Pole multiple times.

2. Paul Henry Nargeolet

A 77-year-old former French Navy diver who has explored the Titanic wrecks on multiple occasions. He was also part of the first expedition that visited the site in 1987.

3. Stockton Rush

A 61-year-old CEO of OceanGate, the company responsible for manufacturing and operating the submersible. The missing submarine, Titan, is also manufactured by OceanGate.

4. Shahzada Dawood

A 48-year-old Pakistani businessman belonging to one of the country’s wealthiest families. He is also a supporter of two charities founded by King Charles. According to sources, King Charles has requested timely updates on the mission from the rescue operators.

5. Suleman Dawood

A 19-year-old student and the son of Shahzada Dawood. The father-son duo embarked on this journey to seek a new adventure.

What Is The Submersible Like From The Inside?

A submersible differs from a submarine in that it requires a support ship to launch it in the ocean. It also has limited reserves compared to a submarine and cannot remain underwater for extended periods. This submersible weighs around 25,000 pounds and has a titanium crew compartment.

The missing submersible, Titan, is equipped with basic emergency medical supplies and has 96 hours of oxygen for five people. The total size of the submersible is similar to a minivan. There is one toilet and there are no seats. All the passengers have to sit cross legged on the floor. For the view, there is only one porthole from where the passengers can view the site, apart from that there are no windows. The entire journey was expected to last 10-12 hours.

Who Owns The Submarine? Is It Safe For Such Operations?

The submersible is owned by OceanGate, a private company that provides submersible assets and crew members for research, commercial and military purposes. The company previously visited the Titanic wreck site in 2021 and 2022. Following two successful attempts, Titan was sent to the Titanic site again.

OceanGate has faced criticism in the past regarding deep-sea tourism. Two employees have also raised concerns about the safety of the submersible. The primary concerns revolve around the thickness of Titan’s hull, which could pose a significant challenge during rescue operations once it is located.

According to the company’s legal representative, OceanGate claims to have collaborated with the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Laboratory in building the vessel. However, university officials deny any involvement in the design, engineering, or testing of Titan.

How To Recover The Submarine Once Found?

Till now all the rescue operating companies have searched more than 10,000 miles. In this mission, the US Coast Guard, US Air Force, Canadian Military, US Navy, and Canadian Coast Guard, are working together. After the news break, France has also sent their research ships which has an underwater robot to help in this search. As per the reports, finding the submersible is just a first step. Rescuing it is another big challenge.