Intensive search efforts launched off the coast of St John’s, Canada
Authorities Utilize Unmanned Aircraft and Sonar in Search for Missing Submarine on Titanic Wreck Expedition
A search and rescue operation is currently underway to locate a missing submersible operated by a company specializing in expeditions to the Titanic wreckage, off the coast of St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada.
Concerns for the Safety of Crew Onboard
According to authorities, the vessel has between 70 and 96 hours of life support, raising concerns for the safety of the crew on board.
Expedition Commences with a 400-Nautical Mile Journey
The expedition began with a 400-nautical mile journey to the wreck site, located approximately 900 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. However, shortly after the submersible’s descent on Sunday morning, contact was lost with the crew from the support vessel Polar Prince, responsible for transporting the submersible to the site, approximately one hour and forty-five minutes after the descent.
Coast Guard and Aerial Searches Initiated
In response to the incident, the United States Coast Guard was alerted and initiated surface water searches, as well as deploying an aircraft for aerial and radar searches, as reported by Rear Admiral John Mauger at a press conference held on Monday.
Details of the Missing Vessel
The missing vessel, named “Titan,” weighs 23,000 pounds and is constructed with carbon fiber and titanium, according to tour operator OceanGate Expeditions. Measuring 21 feet in length, the submersible provides life support for up to 96 hours, as stated on the OceanGate website. However, authorities indicate that onboard oxygen availability is projected between 70 and 96 hours.
Titanic Wreckage and Passenger Information
The Titanic wreckage, discovered in 1985, is located in two parts at a depth of approximately 13,000 feet below the surface.
Authorities have confirmed that five people are aboard the missing submersible. One of the passengers is businessman Hamish Harding, according to a social media post by his company, Action Aviation. Typically, an expedition consists of one pilot, a “content expert,” and three paying passengers, as stated on the OceanGate website. The minimum cost to participate in the eight-day expedition is $250,000, according to the operator. The Coast Guard is currently notifying the families of those on board the submersible.
Intensified Search Efforts and Collaborative Support
Search efforts are being intensified with the utilization of aircraft, sonar buoys, and a “shipboard sonar out there listening for any sound we can detect in the water column,” as explained by Mauger. The Polar Prince ship is also assisting in the search operations, according to one of the co-owners. Both the Canadian Armed Forces and the United States Coast Guard have deployed aircraft to the remote area of the North Atlantic.
Locating the Missing Vessel and Rescue Planning
The Coast Guard’s priority is to locate the missing vessel. If found in the water, rescue plans will be developed in collaboration with the United States Navy, the Canadian Armed Forces, and private industry partners to assess available options for “underwater rescue capability,” as reported by Mauger.