ine: Sharp Contrast in Response to Two Emergencies at Sea: Migrant Shipwreck vs. Missing Millionaires in Submarine
Date: June 23, 2023
In a stark contrast of events, two emergencies at sea have highlighted the global inequality and disparity in response. Last week, a migrant ship sank in Greek waters, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people, with questionable action by the authorities and minimal public attention. In contrast, this week, a massive relief operation was launched for five missing millionaires who ventured in a submarine near the wreck of the Titanic, only to tragically lose their lives.
Former US President Barack Obama expressed his concern over the disproportionate attention given to the submarine incident compared to the migrant shipwreck. He stated, “Of course we pray for the salvation of those folks. But that [the submarine] getting more attention than 700 sunken people is undefensible.”
Satirical news website, The Onion, added a cynical perspective, suggesting that the submarine should have been tested with poor people first.
The sinking of the migrant ship gained renewed attention when it was revealed that almost all survivors were rescued by a passing superyacht, highlighting the questionable actions of the Greek coastguard. The superyacht provided prompt assistance, while the authorities have much to explain.
The aftermath of the Greek shipwreck remains uncertain, but the disappearance of the submersible Titan in the Atlantic Ocean raises broader questions beyond the tragic fate of its occupants. Experts are questioning the safety regime surrounding experimental vehicles in risky environments, the responsibility of society in case of private enterprise failures, insurability, and the balance between acceptable risk and available response capacity.
The search and rescue operation for the missing submarine involved over sixty ships and dozens of aircraft from the US and Canadian navies, coast guards, and private companies. This operation is considered the most costly rescue operation at sea in recent history.
The US Navy’s underwater microphones designed to detect enemy submarine noise played a crucial role in locating the submarine. Analysis of acoustic data revealed an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion when communication was lost. The wreckage of the Titan was found a few hundred meters from the bow of the Titanic.
Communication with the mother ship on the surface was established through sound (sonar) rather than radio waves, which are ineffective underwater. However, connection issues were not uncommon during previous trips with the Titan.
Concerns have been raised about the safety of the Titan, including its construction from carbon composite instead of steel. Experts warned that this material is unproven for use in extreme underwater pressures and could lead to catastrophic failure. The deceased captain and co-founder of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, ignored these warnings and refused to have the vessel independently certified.
Only ten vessels worldwide have certification for work at a depth of four kilometers. Filmmaker James Cameron, who has expertise in underwater vehicles, defended his decision to dive without certification for scientific experiments but emphasized the importance of certification when transporting guests who rely on the safety of the vehicle.
The tragic incidents at sea have shed light on the disparities in response and the need for stricter safety regulations in the underwater industry. The global community must address these issues to prevent future tragedies and ensure the safety of all individuals at sea.
Correction (June 23, 2023): The name of Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate who died in the Titan accident, was incorrectly listed as Rush Stockton. That has been corrected above.Title: Sharp Contrast in Response: Migrant Shipwreck vs. Titanic Submarine Tragedy
Subtitle: Global Inequality Highlighted as Public Attention and Relief Efforts Differ
Date: June 23, 2023
In a stark display of global inequality, two recent emergencies at sea have garnered vastly different responses. The sinking of a migrant ship in Greek waters, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives, received little public commotion and questionable action by the authorities. Meanwhile, the disappearance of a submarine carrying five millionaires near the wreck of the Titanic has captured massive attention and triggered a gigantic relief operation. However, it was confirmed on Thursday that the five individuals also paid with their lives.
Former US President Barack Obama expressed his concern over the contrasting responses, stating, “Of course we pray for the salvation of those folks. But that [the submarine] getting more attention than 700 sunken people is undefensible.”
The sinking of the migrant ship gained renewed attention this week when it was revealed that almost all survivors were rescued by a passing superyacht, unlike the Greek coastguard, which faced criticism for its handling of the situation.
While the fate of the Greek shipwreck remains uncertain, the tragedy surrounding the Titanic submarine raises broader questions about safety regulations for experimental vehicles in risky environments. Experts argue that the costs and ethics of rescuing tourist expeditions should be included in risk assessments for large-scale and specialist operations far out at sea.
The search and rescue effort for the Titanic submarine involved over sixty ships, dozens of aircraft, and underwater drones from the US and Canadian navies, coast guards, and private companies. This operation is considered the most costly rescue operation at sea in recent history.
Clarity about the submarine’s fate came from a network of US Navy underwater microphones designed to detect enemy submarine noise. Analysis of acoustic data revealed an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion at the location where communication with the submarine was lost.
The Titan, the submarine involved in the tragedy, was constructed using carbon composite instead of steel, a decision that drew criticism from experts who deemed it unproven for safe use in extreme underwater pressures. The vessel was not independently certified, and warnings from a former director of maritime operations at OceanGate were ignored.
The tragedy has sparked a debate about the balance between innovation and safety regulations in the underwater industry. While some argue that excessive regulation inhibits growth, others emphasize the importance of ensuring the safety of passengers and guests.
As the investigation into the Titanic submarine tragedy continues, it serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive safety measures and ethical considerations in high-risk ventures.
Correction (June 23, 2023): The name of Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate who died in the Titan accident, was incorrectly listed as Rush Stockton. That has been corrected above.
What are the potential risks and implications of using experimental vehicles in risky environments, and how can safety protocols be improved to mitigate these risks?
Uncertain, the disappearance of the submarine Titan raises broader questions beyond the tragic loss of life. Experts are now questioning the safety protocols surrounding experimental vehicles in risky environments, the responsibility of society in the case of private enterprise failures, insurability, and the balance between acceptable risk and available response capacity.
The search and rescue operation for the missing submarine involved a massive operation with over sixty ships and dozens of aircraft from the US and Canadian navies, coast guards, and private companies. This operation is considered one of the most expensive rescue operations at sea in recent history.
The US Navy’s underwater microphones played a crucial role in locating the submarine, with analysis of acoustic data revealing an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion when communication was lost. The wreckage of the Titan was found a few hundred meters from the bow of the Titanic.
Safety concerns have been raised about the construction and certification of the Titan. The use of carbon composite material instead of steel has raised questions about its suitability for extreme underwater pressures and potential catastrophic failures. The deceased captain and co-founder of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, had ignored warnings and refused to have the vessel independently certified.
These tragic incidents at sea have brought attention to the disparities in response and the need for stricter safety regulations in the underwater industry. Addressing these issues is crucial to prevent future tragedies and ensure the safety of all individuals at sea.