According to a former submarine commander, it is highly likely that the passengers of the submersible missing on a trip to the Titanic wreckage site have already perished
A former submarine commander has expressed doubts about the survival of the passengers on board the missing Titanic submersible, stating that it is unlikely they are still alive.
Are the submarine passengers dead?
The submersible lost contact with its mother ship on Sunday and authorities estimate that there is enough oxygen to sustain the five passengers until Thursday morning.
The fate of the submersible remains uncertain, as it is unclear whether it resurfaced or is stranded on the seabed at a depth of 12,500 feet (2.4 miles).
The current record for an underwater rescue is at a depth of 1,575 feet, highlighting the challenging nature of the situation.
Hopes were raised when rescuers detected “banging” noises, although it has not been confirmed whether they originated from the missing submersible.
However, former commanding officer Andy Coles believes that the passengers may have already succumbed to hypothermia or carbon dioxide poisoning.
Coles explained that the submersible likely lacks the capability to remove carbon dioxide and recirculate air, which could result in the occupants falling asleep before fully suffocating.
He also highlighted the extreme cold at a depth of 3,800 meters and suggested that the lack of power and light indicates a potential inability to drive the submersible to the surface.
Furthermore, even if the submersible were to reach the surface, Coles pointed out that the hatch is bolted shut from the outside, making it impossible for the occupants to open it themselves.
The situation remains critical as the rescue mission continues, and hopes of a successful recovery remain uncertain.
Difficult situation
The chances of bringing the passengers of the missing Titanic submersible up alive are estimated to be less than 50%, according to former submarine commander Andy Coles.
Even if they were located, the difficult task of raising the submersible to the surface remains.
Several vessels, including research vessels from the Bahamas and France, as well as Canadian Coast Guard vessels, are involved in the search efforts.
However, the extreme depths at which the submersible is presumed to be located present significant challenges.
Coles emphasized the complexities of operating at such depths, including the absence of natural light and the reliance on cameras and artificial lighting for visibility.
Even at a depth of 100 meters, the operation would be time-consuming and challenging.
While Coles suggested that there might be a possibility of retrieving the submersible in the future with the necessary lifting equipment, the immediate rescue prospects remain grim.
The search effort continues as teams grapple with the difficulties of locating and recovering the missing submersible in the deep ocean.
