Tragedy Strikes as Titan Submersible Lost During Titanic Wreck Expedition
The wrecks of the Titanic and the Titan sit on the ocean floor, separated by 1,600 feet (490 meters) and 111 years of history. How they came together unfolded over an intense week that raised temporary hopes and left lingering questions.
The Polar Prince, a Canadian icebreaker ship, set sail from Newfoundland on Friday, June 16, towing the experimental Titan submersible and carrying a five-man team headed to explore the iconic ocean liner’s watery gravesite. Previous missions had been canceled due to bad weather, but the latest OceanGate Expeditions group was hopeful.
Renowned adventurer Hamish Harding expressed optimism on Instagram, stating, “A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive tomorrow. More expedition updates to follow IF the weather holds!”
Mission participants aboard the Polar Prince were required to wear safety gear, including water-activated life vests, bright orange jackets, helmets, and steel-toed boots. Just before a dive, they would change into fleece vests, black flight suits bearing the OceanGate logo, and warm socks. No shoes were allowed on the submersible.
The team was transported to the Titan’s launch and recovery platform by inflatable dinghies named Stewie and Max. Once inside the submersible, they would sit on a platform, with their legs crossed or out straight. The Titan submerged at 8 a.m. EDT on Sunday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
However, on Sunday, the vessel lost contact with the Polar Prince around 10:45 a.m., sparking an intense international search and rescue operation. The U.S. Navy analyzed acoustic data and found an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion near the Titan’s last known location. Despite this information, the search continued as the Navy did not consider the data definitive.
Multiple aircraft and research vessels joined the search effort, covering an area twice the size of Connecticut in waters 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) deep. Sonar equipment detected banging noises, raising hopes that the crew aboard the Titan was still alive. However, time was running out as the submersible only had enough air to last until the next morning.
On Thursday morning, a robotic vehicle discovered the tail cone of the Titan on the ocean floor, followed by the front and back ends of the hull. Rear Adm. John Mauger of the First Coast Guard District confirmed that the debris was consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber.
OceanGate, the company behind the expedition, issued a statement mourning the loss of life, including company CEO and pilot Stockton Rush. The other individuals on board were Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet and two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood.
“These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans,” OceanGate said. “We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew.”
The tragic loss of the Titan submersible during the Titanic wreck expedition has left many questions unanswered. The investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing, and the world mourns the loss of these brave explorers who dedicated their lives to uncovering the mysteries of the deep sea.
At what time did the Titan submersible begin its descent to explore the Titanic wreck site, according to the U.S. Coast Guard
Tragedy struck during an expedition to the Titanic wreck site as the Titan submersible was lost. The week-long mission, which aimed to explore the iconic ocean liner’s watery gravesite, had faced previous cancellations due to bad weather.
The expedition began on Friday, June 16, with the Canadian icebreaker ship, Polar Prince, towing the experimental Titan submersible and carrying a team of five. Adventurer Hamish Harding expressed hope for the mission on Instagram, mentioning the favorable weather conditions.
Safety gear was mandatory for all participants aboard the Polar Prince, including water-activated life vests, bright orange jackets, helmets, and steel-toed boots. Before diving, the team would change into fleece vests, black flight suits with the OceanGate logo, and warm socks. Shoes were not allowed in the submersible.
Transported by inflatable dinghies named Stewie and Max, the team reached the launch and recovery platform of the Titan. Inside the submersible, they would sit on a platform, with their legs crossed or extended. The Titan began its descent at 8 a.m. EDT on Sunday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.