No optimism for rescue, expedition leader fears the fate of the crew trapped in the depths of the ocean.
A tragic disappearance
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: Michael Harris, commander of the Titanic expedition, has stated that the missing tourist submarine may have imploded at a depth of 3,200 meters. His words echo with hopelessness, as he also declared that there is nothing the United States Navy can do at the moment.
On board the Titan
Operated by OceanGate Expeditions, the submarine known as Titan disappeared on Monday, June 19, 2023, while carrying a crew of five people to explore the wreckage of the Titanic, located 12,500 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Among the crew are British billionaire Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani millionaire Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman.
A somber fate
According to information from The Irish Examiner, Nargeolet, who is known for his numerous visits to the Titanic wreckage, has spent more time at the accident site than anyone else. He had previously warned, “If you’re 11m or 11km down, if something bad happens, the result is the same.” Nargeolet emphasized that in deep waters, death is instantaneous, with no time to realize what is happening.
The voice of despair
While rescue teams struggle to locate the submarine, Michael Harris expressed his concern for the crew aboard the Titan, fearing that they may have already met their tragic fate. Harris, an experienced Titanic diver responsible for recovering artifacts from the wreckage, shared unconfirmed reports that three people he knows are among the crew. He revealed to Fox News presenter Jesse Watters that he fears the submarine’s hull may have imploded at a depth of approximately 3,200 meters.
No hope for rescue
When asked about any possibility of action by the Navy, Harris categorically responded, “No.” He explained that dealing with pressures of up to 6,000 pounds per square inch, the environment is extremely dangerous, and there is no magical solution. Although the submarine was equipped with oxygen and CO2 scrubbers, Harris does not feel confident that there is hope for the crew trapped at the bottom of the ocean. The diver added that the descent to the wreck site typically takes two and a half hours, descending to a depth of 3,980 meters, where the research and exploration of the Titanic wreckage would begin.
Trapped and without help
Jannicke Mikkelsen, a Norwegian explorer who knew Hamish Harding, expressed her greatest fear: that the submersible is trapped at the seabed, unable to receive help. Mikkelsen stated in an interview with Chris Cuomo on NewsNation that the crew may have missed their last chance to return to the surface. She observed with concern that there is no one capable of reaching them in the ocean’s depths. The director of photography also noted that she was beginning to consider the worst-case scenarios.
Courage amidst the crisis
Mikkelsen revealed that Harding served as her mentor and was aware of the risks involved in the expedition. She stated that he is a true explorer at heart, and this was one of the missions he wanted to accomplish. Despite the critical situation, she believes that Harding will remain calm and work together with the crew to explore all possible options. Meanwhile, Rear Admiral John W. Mauger declared in a press conference that the US Coast Guard is committed to finding the Titan, working tirelessly to rescue the crew trapped in the depths of the ocean.