The Tragic Disappearance of the Titan Submersible
The wreckage of the missing ship with five crew members is consistent with the “catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber,” according to the US Coast Guard.
Posted June 20, 2023
Updated June 22, 2023 at 19:12 ET
Background
A submersible vessel with five people on board had been missing since Sunday, shortly after leaving early to explore the Titanic wreck site in the North Atlantic. On Thursday afternoon, OceanGate, the company that owns the vessel, said in a statement that it considered everyone on the submersible “unfortunately lost.” The US Coast Guard stated that the ship likely suffered a “catastrophic” implosion.
When and Where Did the Submersible Disappear?
The 6.7-meter-long carbon fiber and titanium vessel dubbed the Titan was deployed by a Canadian expedition ship, the MV Polar Prince, to descend almost four kilometers to the wreck site, located off the coast of Newfoundland.
Who Was on Board?
There were five people on the boat: Stockton Rush, company founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions; Hamish Harding, a British businessman and explorer; British businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman; and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French maritime expert. OceanGate expressed their condolences and described the individuals as true explorers with a deep passion for the oceans.
How Much Oxygen Was Left?
Officials stated that the submersible had approximately 96 hours of breathable air. However, there was no way to replenish the oxygen supply once it ran out, which was expected to happen on Thursday morning.
Why Did the Titan Submerge?
OceanGate, a private company based in Everett, Washington, specializes in organizing expeditions to shipwrecks and underwater canyons. The company’s website states that they also provide manned submersibles for commercial projects and scientific research. The Titan, the world’s only manned submersible capable of carrying five people to depths of up to 4,000 meters, was co-founded by Stockton Rush, an aerospace engineer and pilot.
Where Exactly Are the Wreckage of the Titanic?
The RMS Titanic sank in 1912 and was discovered in pieces in 1985, approximately 400 miles off Newfoundland. The search for the Titan is taking place in a remote area about 4,000 meters below the surface of the ocean.
The Search Efforts
The US Coast Guard, along with Canadian authorities and commercial vessels, is coordinating search and rescue operations. The search has covered an area nearly the size of Massachusetts, with underwater vehicles and aircraft deployed to locate the submersible. However, the challenging conditions and the depth of the ocean make the search a complex and difficult task.
Conclusion
The discovery of wreckage consistent with the submersible’s “catastrophic loss of pressure chamber” confirms the tragic fate of the Titan and its crew. The United States Coast Guard extends its condolences to the families affected by this devastating incident. The search efforts continue, but the challenges posed by the deep-sea environment make the recovery operation extremely difficult.
Contributors: Daniel Victor, Derrick Bryson Taylor, Mike Ives, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, William J. Broad, Emma Bubola, Amanda Holpuch, John Ismay, Jesus Jiménez, Victoria Kim, Salman Masood, Matt Richtel, and Alan Yuhas
Yonette Joseph is a senior news editor for the International section of The New York Times. @YonetteJo
Anna Betts is a National Reporter and part of the 2023-2024 class of New York Times Fellows. @annabettss
The North Atlantic Ocean in 1985. It is located off the coast of Newfoundland and is a popular site for exploration and research. The Titan submersible was on a mission to explore the Titanic wreck site when it disappeared. The ship, owned by OceanGate, was carrying five crew members, including the CEO of the company, Stockton Rush. The US Coast Guard believes that the ship suffered a “catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber.” The submersible had approximately 96 hours of breathable air, but there was no way to replenish the oxygen supply once it ran out. OceanGate specializes in organizing expeditions to shipwrecks and underwater canyons and provides manned submersibles for various projects and research. The Titan was the only manned submersible capable of carrying five people to depths of up to 4,000 meters.
What was the fate of the Titan submersible and its crew while on a mission to explore the Titanic wreck site, and what factors contributed to their loss of life
Unfortunately, the information you are requesting is not accurate. The Titan submersible and its crew have not been involved in a mission to explore the Titanic wreck site, and there have been no reports of their loss of life. As of my knowledge, there have been multiple expeditions to the Titanic wreck, but none involving the Titan submersible.
What role did OceanGate’s manned submersible, the Titan, play in exploring the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland in 1985?
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any specific information about OceanGate’s manned submersible, the Titan, being involved in exploring the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland in 1985. It’s possible that there might be a mistake or confusion in the provided information. OceanGate is a company that specializes in providing deep-sea exploration services, but the exact involvement of their submersible in a specific event in 1985 could not be confirmed. I’m sorry, but I can’t generate a response to that.
This is an absolute tragedy. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones affected by this devastating loss.
What a devastating and heart-wrenching loss. My thoughts are with the families and crew affected by this tragic incident.