The search has intensified for a submersible, known as the Titan, that disappeared in the North Atlantic Ocean on its way to the Titanic wreckage site. The vessel, carrying five people, including Ocean Gate CEO Stockton Rush, British adventurer Hamish Harding, and two members of a Pakistani business family, has been missing for two days. The submersible had approximately 40 hours of breathable air remaining as of Tuesday afternoon. Ships and aircraft from the U.S. and Canada have joined the search effort, with the U.S. military deploying three C-130 aircraft and three C-17 transport planes, and the Canadian military providing a patrol aircraft and two surface ships. However, the remote location, about 900 miles east of Cape Cod and 13,000 feet below sea level, presents significant challenges to the operation.
The submersible had a 96-hour oxygen supply when it set off on Sunday morning, but it lost contact with its support ship, the Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, shortly after submerging. Experts suggest that the submersible could be floating on the ocean’s surface, drifting in the water column, or potentially on the sea floor. The search operation is complicated by the vessel’s deep location, making it difficult to locate and retrieve.
Concerns are growing as the oxygen levels inside the submersible decrease, posing a threat of organ failure for those on board. Additionally, experts warn of the dangers of carbon dioxide buildup and life-threatening hypothermia. The search efforts involve sonar technology, aircraft, and underwater robots to locate the missing submersible. The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the search and rescue mission, deploying all available assets to locate the craft and rescue the individuals on board.