Latest news: The underwater vehicle that disappeared during a tour of the Titanic remains probably collapsed, resulting in the death of all five individuals on board, according to the Coast Guard. Find out more here.
The Coast Guard was prompted to search for the overdue wreckage of the Titanic on Sunday, after OceanGate reported an effort to conduct a tour of the 22-foot, 23,000-pound vessel using a submersible in Nova Scotia, HALIFAX.
As per David Concannon, a consultant for OceanGate Expeditions, who supervised the expedition, the underwater vehicle possessed a four-day oxygen reserve when it embarked on its journey at approximately 6 a.M. On Sunday.
Stockton Rush founded OceanGate Inc., With its headquarters in Washington, in 2009 with the aim of improving the availability of deep-sea exploration for both researchers and visitors.
The company, which later designs three submersibles and has been diving for more than fourteen years, now finds itself in a desperate search to recover the five people who have gone missing aboard the submersible off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.
The Antipodes and Cyclops 1, the initial two ships, were able to reach 1,000 feet and 1,640 feet, respectively. OceanGate has operated a total of three underwater vehicles since its establishment.
According to the company’s website, OceanGate states that the Titan, a vessel made of carbon-fiber and titanium, is their sole submersible capable of reaching the wreckage of the Titanic, which lies at a depth of 13,123 feet (the Titanic rests 12,400 feet below the surface).
In a promotional video for the expedition, Aaron Newman, an expert in software security at OceanGate Expeditions, mentioned, “It’s not an amusement park attraction, as you may think. It entails substantial actual hazards and numerous obstacles.”
Specification sheets indicate that the hull’s structure is formed by spinning lightweight carbon fiber into a sturdy tube. The carbon-fiber hull is fastened using two titanium caps, with one cap featuring a substantial see-through window.
The Titan’s specification sheet displays a photo where five passengers are seen seated on the vessel’s floor, despite the limited space available for movement or standing. The passengers occupy a subfloor within the carbon-fiber tube, emphasizing the cramped nature of the Titan, which is only nine feet wide and eight feet tall.
Passengers observe the Titanic through the porthole, except for the windows, there are no other openings. On the ground, passengers sit with their legs crossed; there are no chairs, only a single toilet is available.
CNN correspondent Gabe Cohen, who occupied Titan in 2018 during his coverage of OceanGate Expeditions for CNN affiliate KOMO, expressed, “It’s a ‘compact vessel, rather confined and petite.’ ‘You must be seated within it, with your shoes removed.'”
In case of an emergency, the submersible of OceanGate’s Website Expeditions is equipped with basic medical supplies and trained pilots.
Passenger Experience
Has been a passenger on the Titan, experiencing complete darkness and cold temperatures.
He stated, “It was chilly when we were at the base.” “You had bundled up. You had woolen beanies on and were doing everything to keep warm at the base.”
WATCH: Man discusses his journey to the Titanic and the circumstances his companion might encounter.
He stated that labeling the missing passengers as “tourists” is incorrect.
Newman expressed, “It’s a fine group of individuals.” As he descended, he experienced a sense of security and entrusted himself to skilled experts, further stating that he remained composed and carefully considering the situation, while taking necessary actions to ensure survival. These individuals are composed and strategically handling the circumstances to sustain their lives. They are individuals who thrived on taking risks and had a deep passion for their pursuits.
Danny “John” Olivas, a retired astronaut from NASA, has completed two stays in an underwater habitat and trained for spacewalks underwater, which CNN reported as a very stressful expedition.
Olivas informed Victor Blackwell of CNN that the crew members are facing a potentially toxic atmosphere, which is both restrictive and demanding. The vessel is small and can only accommodate five people. In addition to carbon dioxide being generated, it is crucial to maintain a sufficient supply of oxygen. Moreover, there are numerous potential hazards associated with breathing the air, which could also be exacerbated by the lack of proper air circulation in the cabin.
During each dive, Mike Reiss informed ABC News that his submarine lost communication with the main vessel. Mike has completed four dives lasting 10 hours each with OceanGate, including one to the Titanic.
“Each time they lost contact – that appears to be a recurring feature of the system,” he remarked.
Although they landed merely 500 yards away from the vessel, Reiss mentioned that it required his team a total of three hours to locate the Titanic without the aid of GPS.
Reiss stated that he signed “a document that references mortality three times on the initial page.”
He stated, “any small problem can turn into a major catastrophe, and it is always dangerous to have it lingering at the back of your mind.”
He mentioned that the underwater vehicle is constructed in a straightforward manner and is “solely propelled by two fans on the exterior.”
“I was even able to control and pilot the submarine for a period of time,” he remarked.
Reiss expressed his greatest apprehension that the submarine might not have the capability to release the weights that compel it to descend, as it was time to ascend to the surface.
This report includes contributions from The Associated Press and CNN Wire.