What happened to the submarine that went missing?
Additional ships and underwater robots have joined the extensive search operation taking place in the North Atlantic. The search is focused on locating a tourist submarine that disappeared during an expedition to explore the renowned Titanic shipwreck over the weekend.
Various agencies from the United States and Canada have been meticulously combing through thousands of square miles of open ocean. Recent updates reveal that the Canadian vessel, Horizon Arctic, has successfully deployed a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) that has reached the ocean floor. This ROV has commenced its search for the missing submarine. In addition, the French vessel L’Atalante has also deployed its own ROV, named Victor 6000. Equipped with a remarkable five-mile umbilical cord, Victor 6000 possesses the ability to dive even deeper than the location of the Titanic wreckage on the seabed. The site of the shipwreck is situated over two miles beneath the ocean surface.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported the detection of underwater sounds within the search area. Consequently, the search efforts involving ROVs have been concentrated on the vicinity where the sounds were heard.
At present, here is what we have gathered regarding the missing submersible craft and the possible events surrounding its disappearance.
What happened to the submarine that went missing
On Sunday morning, a submersible named Titan, owned by OceanGate Expeditions, embarked on a dive to explore the Titanic wreckage site with a crew of five individuals. However, approximately an hour and 45 minutes after submerging, the crew of the Polar Prince research ship, which was in contact with the sub, lost communication with it, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard issued a notification to mariners on Sunday night, informing them of the missing sub. The alert described the sub as a “21-foot submarine” with a white hull and provided its last known location. The message requested vessels in the vicinity to remain vigilant and offer assistance if possible.
The sub went missing in an area approximately 900 miles east of Cape Cod in the North Atlantic. The water depth in that region is around 13,000 feet. As of Tuesday afternoon, Coast Guard officials estimated that the sub had less than 40 hours of breathable air remaining.
Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick addressed the media during a press conference on Tuesday, expressing the determination to conduct a rescue operation. He described the search effort as “an incredibly complex operation” and emphasized the urgency of deploying equipment to the scene as swiftly as possible.
The crew of the submersible consisted of five individuals, including an operator identified later as Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions. The remaining four individuals were referred to as mission specialists by the company, a term used for its paying passengers who had each invested up to $250,000 for a seat on the expedition.
Search and rescue efforts underway
On Wednesday morning, three additional vessels arrived at the search area to aid in the ongoing operation. One of these vessels possesses side-scan sonar capabilities, which are designed to generate detailed images of large sections of the sea floor. The U.S. Coast Guard shared this information in a tweet, noting that the vessel had commenced conducting search patterns alongside at least two other ships. Multiple military and other agencies were collaborating under a unified command structure to coordinate their efforts.
Coast Guard Captain Frederick reported on Wednesday that there were currently five “surface assets” actively participating in the search. Furthermore, an additional five assets were expected to join the operation within the next 24 to 48 hours. He also mentioned that two remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs) were presently engaged in active search operations, with several more ROVs scheduled to arrive and contribute to the search effort on Thursday.
The U.S. Coast Guard deployed C-130 aircraft to assist in the search for the missing submersible. Additionally, the Rescue Coordination Center Halifax provided support with a P-8 Poseidon aircraft, which possesses underwater detection capabilities. Canadian P-3s were also involved in the operation and had deployed sonar buoys.
During the early hours of Wednesday, officials announced that underwater noises had been detected in the search area by aircraft. Consequently, the underwater search operations were relocated based on this information, although the source of the noises remained unidentified. According to the Coast Guard, the sounds were detected multiple times on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the search conducted by the remotely-operated vehicles had yielded “negative results.” Nonetheless, the search would persist while U.S. Navy experts analyzed the initial data collected by the Canadian aircraft.
Captain Frederick expressed the unwavering sense of hope that accompanies search and rescue missions during a press conference with reporters. He emphasized that in such cases, maintaining hope is crucial, and it serves as the driving force behind their efforts.
Regarding the underwater noises detected during the search, Captain Frederick candidly admitted that the origin of those sounds remained unknown. The presence of these noises prompted the deployment of the P-3 aircraft and the implementation of sonar buoys to investigate and gather more information.
The news regarding the missing submersible and the subsequent rescue mission initially broke on Monday morning. Lieutenant Jordan Hart of the Coast Guard in Boston informed CBS News at that time that the rescue operation was being led by personnel from the Boston Regional Coordination Center. Their focus was on the waters off Newfoundland in eastern Canada since the location of the Titanic shipwreck fell within the jurisdiction of the Boston coordination center, according to the East Coast jurisdiction map.
Search operations persisted throughout Monday night and into Tuesday. Captain Frederick mentioned that a pipe-laying vessel arrived in the search area on Tuesday and deployed a remotely operated vehicle to explore the sub’s last known position.
By Tuesday, the combined efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and Air National Guard had collectively scoured approximately 10,000 square miles since the submersible went missing. This extensive search area was about twice the size of Connecticut, and the underwater search extended to depths of up to 2 1/2 miles. Captain Frederick emphasized the complexity of the circumstances faced by the search and rescue teams, including the unpredictable weather conditions, currents, and sea states, which continually expanded the search area. He expressed gratitude for the support and offers of additional equipment from various sources.
Captain Frederick acknowledged the challenges of describing the specifics of a deep-sea rescue operation if the submersible were to be located in time. He explained that such decisions would rely on the expertise of specialists and the particular circumstances surrounding the situation.
Rear Admiral John Mauger of the Coast Guard also addressed the situation, emphasizing that the focus was currently on locating the vessel. However, if the submersible were to be found in the water, a rescue operation would need to be initiated. He highlighted the coordination efforts between the U.S. Navy, Canadian armed forces, and private industry to determine the available underwater rescue capabilities.
Admiral Mauger shared that officials would maintain hope for the submersible passengers as long as there remained possibilities for survival, underscoring their commitment to exhausting all potential avenues.
What do we know about the noises?
Captain Frederick acknowledged the possibility that the sounds detected by the Canadian aircraft could originate from various sources. Carl Hartsfield, the director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, present at the search area as a consultant, explained the challenges of distinguishing between human and natural sounds underwater.
Given the complexity of the ocean and the variety of sounds it produces, it can be difficult to determine the precise sources of noises, Hartsfield stated. He emphasized that the search team employed multiple sensors in the area and promptly sent the data to experts for analysis. The results of this analysis were then relayed to the unified team to inform their decision-making process.
Chris Roman, an associate professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island, commented that it was indeed possible for the detected sounds to originate from the lost submersible. He explained that sound travels efficiently underwater, and if individuals inside the submersible intentionally made noises, they could potentially be detected by sound buoys. The information obtained from such detections could be used to establish a new search area. Roman also noted that there are numerous other sources in the ocean that produce sounds, adding to the complexity of the situation.
The missing submarine
The submersible craft that went missing belongs to OceanGate Expeditions, a company specializing in deep-sea exploration using manned submarines. This particular submersible was utilized for carrying tourists to the wreckage of the RMS Titanic, with seats priced at $250,000 per person. The Titanic sank in April 1912 and currently rests on the ocean floor approximately 400 miles southeast of the coast of Newfoundland.
OceanGate recently announced on its website and social media platforms that their expedition to the Titanic wreck was underway. They described the seven-night trip as an opportunity to escape from ordinary life and experience something truly extraordinary. The company had planned two additional expeditions to the site for the following summer, as stated on their website.
Due to the submersible’s limited oxygen capacity, it can only remain fully submerged for a portion of the week-long voyage. In case of an emergency on board, the sub is equipped with emergency oxygen and has a 96-hour capability to sustain the crew.
In response to the news of the missing submersible, OceanGate released a statement confirming that it was their vessel and that a rescue operation was underway to locate and recover it. The company expressed their commitment to exploring and mobilizing all available options to ensure the safe return of the crew. Andrew Von Kerens, a spokesperson for OceanGate, stated that they were unable to establish communication with the submersible while it was visiting the Titanic wreck site and expressed hope for the safe return of the crew and passengers. They assured that updates would be provided as soon as possible.
Who are the passengers aboard the sub?
CBS News has provided confirmation regarding the identities of the five individuals aboard the missing submersible. They include Hamish Harding, a 59-year-old British billionaire, business owner, and explorer; Shahzada Dawood, a British-Pakistani businessman, and his son, Suleman; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French explorer with extensive experience in exploring the Titanic wreckage; and Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, who was piloting the submersible.
Action Aviation, Harding’s company, confirmed his presence on the submersible and expressed hope for a successful rescue mission, noting that the vessel is equipped with survival equipment. The United Kingdom government officials have been in contact with Harding’s family and stand prepared to offer assistance throughout the ongoing search and rescue operations.
The Dawood family, associated with the Dawood Group, a large Pakistan-based global business conglomerate, also confirmed the presence of their family members on the expedition. Shahzada Dawood, the vice chairman of Dawood Hercules Corporation, is part of the Dawood Group, which has been a family business for over a century. Dawood also serves on the board of trustees at the Seti Institute, according to the institute’s website.
Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a renowned French explorer and former diver for the French Navy, has been involved in exploring the Titanic wreck since the initial expedition in 1987. He was returning to the wreck on the now-missing submersible.
Rory Golden, an explorer who became the first Irish diver to visit the Titanic wreckage in 2000, clarified in a Facebook post that he was part of the voyage but not on the missing submersible. He reassured others of his safety and expressed gratitude for the support and offers of help received from around the world. He emphasized the global response and the kindness displayed during such challenging times.
Who is Hamish Harding?
Hamish Harding, the first passenger to be publicly identified, had shared his participation in the Titanic shipwreck expedition on social media prior to the submersible’s disappearance. In a Facebook post on Saturday, Harding announced his involvement as a mission specialist on the submersible heading to the Titanic wreckage with OceanGate Expeditions. He mentioned the challenging winter conditions in Newfoundland and expressed excitement about attempting a dive the following day. The post included pictures of Harding signing a banner related to the Titanic Expedition Mission V and an image of the submersible.
Richard Garriott de Cayeux, president of The Explorers Club, mentioned corresponding with Harding about the expedition in a letter to club members after the submersible went missing. He described Harding’s enthusiasm for the upcoming mission and his eagerness to conduct research at the site.
Harding is an experienced adventure tourist who ventured into space aboard a Blue Origin rocket in the previous year. Two years ago, he reached the deepest part of the ocean, the floor of the Mariana Trench, accompanied by U.S. explorer Victor Vescovo. Their expedition in a $48 million submersible set a Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled by a crewed vessel at the deepest part of the ocean. In an interview with The Week after the Mariana Trench dive, Harding acknowledged the potential for fear but highlighted how the multitude of tasks and responsibilities during the journey kept him focused and prevented apprehension from taking over.
What are the options for a rescue if the sub is found?
If the monumental search effort is successful in locating the missing submersible on the sea floor, the subsequent challenge would be rescuing the five people on board. However, experts and professors in the field highlight the significant difficulties involved in executing a successful rescue operation.
According to Titanic expert Tim Matlin, affecting a sub-to-sub rescue at such depths would be nearly impossible due to the limited number of submarines capable of reaching those depths. Ralf Bachmayer, a professor of marine environmental technology and deep-sea engineering, explained two potential options for a rescue operation if the submersible is on the sea floor. The first option would be winching it up, but this would be extremely challenging given the depth of approximately 13,000 feet. The second option would involve using a flotation device, known as a lift bag, to slide under the submersible and assist in lifting it to the surface.
Both options pose significant difficulties that may prove insurmountable. Matlin mentioned that having a line tethered all the way down would be too heavy and cause excessive drag. Additionally, the submersible could be entangled in debris, making a flotation rescue attempt even more challenging. The use of remotely operated vehicles would be necessary to gain sufficient access to slide the flotation device under the 21-foot-long submersible.
Describing the conditions at the depth of the Titanic wreck, Matlin explained that it is pitch black, freezing cold, and covered in undulating mud. Visibility is limited to sonar, as even radar does not work in those depths. He likened the rescue operation to a moon shot and expressed concerns for the lives of the explorers on board.
Given the complex and treacherous conditions involved, rescuing the individuals from the submersible, if it is found, poses formidable challenges and risks.
“Focus is on the crewmembers”
OceanGate expressed its complete focus and concern for the crewmembers aboard the submersible and their families in their statement on Monday. The company conveyed deep gratitude for the extensive assistance provided by various government agencies and deep-sea companies in their ongoing efforts to reestablish contact with the submersible.
Before the incident, OceanGate’s most recent tweet regarding its Titanic expedition was shared on June 15. In an earlier tweet, the company had mentioned using the satellite company Starlink to maintain communication with the submersible as it embarked on its journey toward the Titanic wreckage. OceanGate expressed appreciation to Starlink for enabling them to have the necessary internet connection in the middle of the North Atlantic to ensure the success of their dive operations. The tweet was accompanied by an image showing the submersible attached to a deck on the ocean’s surface.
The Titan
The Titan, OceanGate’s deep-sea vessel, has been described as the only five-person submersible in the world capable of reaching the depths of the Titanic, nearly 2 and a half miles beneath the ocean’s surface. This information was reported by CBS “Sunday Mornings” correspondent David Pogue last year. OceanGate’s website features three submersible crafts, including the Titan, which typically accommodates a pilot, three paying guests, and a content expert. The vessel weighs approximately 23,000 pounds and can reach depths of over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), with 96 hours of life support for a crew of five.
Last summer, Pogue joined the Titan crew on a journey from Newfoundland to the site where the Titanic was lost. However, dive attempts had to be canceled due to unsafe weather conditions. Pogue described the Titan as a unique submersible made of thick carbon fiber, with titanium domes at both ends.
In 2018, a former employee and submersible pilot of OceanGate Expeditions, David Lochridge, raised concerns about the safety of the Titanic tour submersible and filed a lawsuit against the company. Lochridge, who was terminated by OceanGate and sued by the company for allegedly disclosing confidential information in a whistleblower complaint, claimed that the Titan was designed to carry passengers to depths of 4,000 meters, exceeding the certified depth capability of its carbon fiber hull. Lochridge stated that the vessel was built to withstand a certified pressure of 1,300 meters, while OceanGate planned to take passengers to 4,000 meters.
Other industry leaders also expressed doubts about the submersible’s safety in 2018. William Kohnen, president and CEO of Hydrospace Group, voiced his concerns in a letter to OceanGate, warning of potentially “catastrophic” issues with the uncertified “experimental” submersible. Although the letter was not sent directly to OceanGate, it was leaked to the company and prompted them to clarify publicly that the submersible had not received certification. Kohnen explained that the letter was intended as a professional courtesy to express industry concerns about OceanGate’s departure from traditional certification processes followed by the submersible industry, which operates under established safety regulations and protocols.
Prior to his planned dive last summer, Pogue recalled signing paperwork that explicitly stated that the submersible was experimental, lacking approval or certification from any regulatory body, and that diving carried the risk of physical injury, emotional trauma, or even death.
Describing the interior of the submarine, Pogue likened it to the space inside a minivan. The vessel appeared to be improvised, utilizing off-the-shelf components, and had simple controls consisting of a single button and a video game controller for steering.
During Pogue’s voyage, the submersible was reportedly lost for a few hours. Since there is no GPS underwater, communication between the surface ship and the submersible is typically facilitated through text messages. However, on that particular dive, communication breakdown occurred.
What could’ve happened inside
Butch Hendrick, president and founder of Lifeguard Systems, a company specializing in dive training for public safety officers, offered insights into the potential circumstances surrounding the loss of communication with the Titan submersible. Hendrick suggested that it was possible the submersible had reached the ocean floor when communication was lost, speculating that it might have become entangled, causing the communication antenna to dislodge or break, resulting in the loss of communication capabilities.
Regarding the submersible’s structural integrity, Hendrick indicated that it was more likely to have experienced leaks and flooding rather than implosion. He explained that at the depth of the Titanic’s wreckage, the pressure is approximately 5,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) higher than at sea level. He noted that without an opening or interactive lock, it would be challenging to create an exit point in such extreme conditions.
Hendrick mentioned the possibility of a leak impacting the submersible’s electrical system, which could have significant consequences. However, he also expressed that in the event of a leak, the occupants could potentially remain inside the submersible, still breathing and hoping for a rescue.
These insights from Hendrick provide perspectives on the potential scenarios that could have led to the loss of communication and shed light on the challenges faced in such deep-sea environments.
Were conditions right for the dive?
G. Michael Harris, founder of RMS Titanic, Inc., a company focused on salvaging artifacts from the Titanic wreckage, shared his perspective on the timing and navigation methods of the Titan’s dive. Harris explained that Titanic expeditions typically take place within a three-month weather window from the end of June to September when the ocean waters are calmest.
Harris questioned why OceanGate conducted the dive as early as Sunday, considering it was still early in the season. He mentioned that during his own diving expeditions, he utilizes a transponder system that allows for constant communication and navigation on the wreck of the Titanic. In contrast, Harris believed that the Titan likely did not have such a system and relied solely on communication with the support ship above.
Expressing his personal preference, Harris mentioned that he does not adhere to the method of navigation employed by the Titan. He also acknowledged his longstanding professional relationship with Paul-Henri Nargeolet, listed as the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, describing him as an “all-around good guy.”
Harris’s insights shed light on the differences in approach and navigation methods between his expeditions and that of the Titan, highlighting the significance of timing and advanced navigation systems in conducting dives to the Titanic wreckage.
