Learn about How long it takes to get to the Titanic in a submarine.
Know the Distance, depth, and all about OceanGate submersible
On Sunday, June 18, 2023, an extensive search and rescue operation commenced in the Atlantic Ocean following the disappearance of an OceanGate Expeditions vessel.
This particular vessel was transporting tourists to explore the sunken remains of the Titanic.
The Coast Guard reported that the submersible, measuring 22 feet and weighing 23,000 pounds, was specifically designed to accommodate a crew of five individuals for a duration of 96 hours.
The distressing incident occurred approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into the Sunday morning journey when all communication with the vessel was abruptly lost.
The company released a statement on Monday, confirming that it lost contact with its Cyclops-class submersible, named Titan:
“We are exploring and mobilizing all options to bring the crew back safely. Our entire focus is on the crewmembers in the submersible and their families. We are working toward the safe return of the crewmembers.”
OceanGate operates its passenger trips to the Titanic wreckage from the port situated in St. John’s, Newfoundland, which is approximately 370 miles away. As reported by Fox Business, the entire journey spans over eight days, with the dive into the ocean and the subsequent ascent taking approximately eight to ten hours. The complete package for this eight-day expedition, encompassing the dive experience, comes at a cost of $250,000.
Regrettably, the incident that occurred recently marked the company’s initial mission to the Titanic this year, as previous attempts were hindered by adverse weather conditions.
Titan can dive upto a depth of 13,123 ft, allowing it to reach the wreck of the Titanic which lies at 12,500 ft
37 hours left of oxygen. No beacon installed and so far search has yielded no results. Considering the depths rescue efforts face, its not looking good. Missing since sunday. #oceangate #stillhope #titanic pic.twitter.com/6BMv61P3Qc
— BadLass (@FrokenFawkes) June 20, 2023
According to information provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a submersible typically requires the support of a ship to facilitate its launch and recovery, as it lacks sufficient power compared to a submarine.
In the case of OceanGate’s operations, their submersible named Titan is accompanied by the Polar Prince, a former Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker ship, which serves as its support vessel.
Notably, Fox Business reports that the communication system aboard the vessel relies on SpaceX’s Starlink satellite system to maintain connectivity while at sea.
While OceanGate possesses three submersibles in total, only Titan possesses the capability to reach the necessary depth required to explore the Titanic wreckage.
During the incident, a notable group of individuals were present aboard the submersible.
This group consisted of world explorer Hamish Harding, Pakistani tech businessman Shanzada Dawood and his son Sulaiman, French diver and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, OceanGate founder Stockton Rush, and a pilot.
David Pogue, a CBS correspondent who had been in the control room of a similar submersible in the past, explained that traditional means of communication like GPS or radio do not function effectively underwater.
He further mentioned on Twitter that short messages could be sent when the ship was directly above the submersible, but overall communication was challenging.
Fox Business adds that the vessel is designed to surface automatically if it “encounters a technical problem.”
In his interview with BBC last year, Pogue explained that the passengers were sealed inside the vessel using bolts:
“There’s no way to escape, even if you rise to the surface by yourself. You cannot get out of the sub without a crew on the outside letting you out.”
Retired Navy submarine commander David Marquet, speaking to ABC News, emphasized the potentially intricate and time-consuming nature of a search and rescue operation if the submersible Titan remains submerged.
Marquet explained that the primary task for rescuers would be to locate the vessel in the vast ocean depths, followed by the challenging endeavor of safely extracting it from its submerged position.
This underscores the complexity and difficulty associated with rescuing a submerged vessel like Titan.
In addition to the challenges mentioned earlier, David Marquet also highlighted that the majority of submarines, including military attack submarines and rescue vessels, do not possess the capability to reach the depths that the Titan submersible can.
This further complicates the ongoing rescue efforts, as specialized equipment and expertise are required to reach and assist the stranded submersible.
As of now, the search and rescue operations are still in progress, as dedicated teams continue their efforts to locate and provide assistance to the Titan submersible.
