With the countdown to the depletion of oxygen in the missing Titan submersible approaching, rescue teams have made a crucial decision to utilize the Victor 6000 robot.
This cutting-edge deep-sea craft possesses advanced features that make it capable of reaching the sunken wreckage.
The Victor 6000 is among the rare vessels worldwide equipped with the necessary capabilities to undertake such a challenging operation.
This strategic choice offers renewed hope for the successful rescue of the crew trapped in the submersible.
According to officials, the ongoing search for the OceanGate tourist vessel in the Atlantic Ocean is still considered a rescue operation.
The mission has been bolstered by deploying the world’s most advanced underwater search equipment vehicles.
These state-of-the-art vehicles are equipped with cutting-edge technology and capabilities specifically designed for deep-sea exploration and search operations.
The deployment of such advanced equipment reflects the urgency and commitment to locating and rescuing the missing vessel and its passengers.
The Victor 6000 is a remote-controlled device measuring 10 feet in length and features a recognizable yellow color on its back.
Renowned French news network BMTV has referred to it as a “flagship device for underwater operations.
” This advanced submersible is capable of diving to depths of up to 6,000 meters, making it a valuable asset in deep-sea exploration and search missions.
Currently, the French vessel L’Atalante is positioned in close proximity to the dive site of the Titan, carrying the Victor 6000 submersible.
In addition to the Victor 6000, the search efforts also involve the deployment of the Odysseus 6k. The Odysseus 6k is a remotely controlled vehicle specifically designed for deep-sea exploration, with the ability to dive to depths of 6,000 meters.
These cutting-edge vehicles represent the forefront of technology in underwater search and are integral to the ongoing efforts to locate and rescue the missing Titan submersible.
The vehicle, operated by Pelagic Research Services in California, is equipped with dual hydraulic arms and is believed to have been transported to the search location.
Officials from the US Coast Guard have disclosed that they anticipate the arrival of additional devices at the search site as time progresses.
During an interview with news outlet Reuters, Olivier Lefort from France’s oceanic research institute Ifremer shared his insight, stating:
“Victor 6000 is not capable of lifting the submarine up on its own. Victor is able to do visual exploration with all the video equipment it has. It is also equipped with manipulating arms which could be used to extricate the sub, such as by sectioning cables or things that would be blocking it at the bottom.”
The French submarine Nautile, which was also used by L’Atalante, has been to the Titanic wrecks several times before.
The Victor 6000 also boasts robotic arms that could potentially aid in the search operation. However, a decision regarding their usage has not yet been finalized.
In the ongoing search operation, aircraft have played a vital role. Notably, a Canadian P-3 aircraft has been instrumental in detecting distinctive “banging” sounds that have garnered significant attention and helped focus the search efforts.
Lefort mentioned that the US Navy sought assistance from their agency, and they couldn’t refuse due to their personal connection.
One of the five crew members on the missing submarine, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, is a former employee of their agency, which further motivated their involvement in the search.
“This is the logic of seafarers. Our attitude was: We are close, we have to go.”
According to Andy Coles, a former commanding officer of a submarine, there is a possibility that the passengers of the submarine may have already succumbed to oxygen deprivation, even if they are eventually rescued by the Victor 6000.
Coles expressed concern that the passengers could have been affected by carbon dioxide poisoning, which can be fatal in enclosed spaces with limited ventilation.
Additionally, he noted that even if the Victor 6000 successfully locates the vessel, it would still take an estimated two months to bring it to the surface.
Coles shared his thoughts on the matter during an interview with The Mirror.
“I don’t think the submarine has any means of cleaning out the CO2 and recirculating the air. So they will probably go to sleep way before they don’t fully suffocate. The other thing to also consider is 3,800 metres down, it’s incredibly cold.
As of this article’s writing, there has been no update on the lives of the passengers.
