Since its disappearance on Sunday, the ongoing efforts to rescue the Titanic tourist submersible, Titan, have intensified.
The situation has become more worrisome due to the limited oxygen supply onboard, raising concerns about the well-being of the occupants.
The submersible features a small private bathroom, separated by a curtain, which is the sole area within the vessel equipped with a seat.
Matthew Ruddle, a gaming expert, has unveiled that the control mechanism for the submersible involved the use of a Logitech F710 Wireless PC Gamepad, commonly employed in video games.
The Canadian P-3 aircraft, dedicated to locating the vehicle, has picked up banging sounds emanating from the area where the vessel was last found.
In response to the detected noises, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) have been dispatched to the precise location.
Additionally, the information regarding these developments has been shared with experts from the US Navy to strategize and advance the rescue mission.
Colonel Terry Virts, a former US pilot, has highlighted several potential factors that could be causing issues within the vessel.
There is speculation that if the emergency systems have malfunctioned, Titan might be trapped in a particular location.
To investigate this possibility, an underwater robot has been deployed in the vicinity of the Titanic wreckage to search for the submersible.
OceanGate recently uploaded a video on their YouTube channel, offering a glimpse into the interior of the submersible.
The vessel has the capacity to accommodate a total of five individuals, comprising one pilot and four crew members.
However, apart from the toilet, no seats are installed inside, requiring all passengers to sit closely together on the floor of the submersible.
The submersible is equipped with an emergency oxygen supply that can sustain the occupants for 96 hours.
Inside the vessel, three screens are present, dedicated to controls, sonar, and imagery respectively.
Additionally, there is a single button that facilitates turning the vehicle on or off.
The submersible’s hull is constructed primarily of carbon fiber, ensuring durability and strength.
Additionally, a fiberglass hull has been incorporated to enhance passenger and electronic safety.
The total weight of the vessel is approximately 10,432 kg, enabling it to travel at a speed of three knots.
Exterior cameras provide a live feed of marine life, and the recently shared video by OceanGate has revealed the inclusion of handles on the ceiling for passenger convenience.
The submersible measures 6.7 meters in length, 2.8 meters in width, and 2.5 meters in height.
It was specifically designed for exploration of the Titanic wreckage, situated at a depth of 3,800 meters in the Atlantic Ocean.
To partake in this extraordinary experience, the cost for one person amounts to $250,000.
Brief timeline of what happened to the Titanic tourist submersible
Titan embarked on its journey from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, on June 18, 2023.
Hamish Harding, one of the passengers and a billionaire, shared this news on Facebook, highlighting that this mission is the sole manned expedition to the Titanic scheduled for the year.
Initially, the submersible was scheduled to begin its descent at 8 am GMT, but it experienced a delay and commenced the descent at 12 pm instead.
Unfortunately, communication with the vehicle was lost after 1 hour and 45 minutes since it submerged, and by 7 pm, the US Coast Guard confirmed that Titan had not resurfaced.
On June 19, a rescue mission was initiated, with the involvement of ships and aircraft from both the US and Canada.
France has also extended their assistance by offering a ship named Atalante, which is anticipated to arrive by Wednesday to aid in the rescue efforts.
