How much time do you have left on oxygen?
Every minute counts in the search for the Titan, the submarine that was lost on its mission to explore the wreckage of the Titanic, carrying five people on board. Time is of the essence, as there is only one day of oxygen supply left on the boat.
Details of the Titan search operation
A Canadian plane equipped with sonar, tasked with searching for the Titan vessel, has detected mysterious sounds underwater. Search teams are working hard to determine its origin, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a message on Twitter. The remotely operated vehicles used in the search are being relocated, and data collected by the aircraft that picked up the noises has been shared with U.S. Navy experts for future search missions.
Critical schedule
Every hour is crucial in this situation. The Titan is designed to have an oxygen supply of up to 96 hours in case of emergency. As of 6 a.m. New York time on Wednesday, the crew likely had about 24 hours of breathable air, having begun their mission to explore the Titanic site on Sunday.
Imminent danger
The mothership on the surface lost all communication with Titan about 1 hour and 45 minutes after its submersion.
International logistics
The Titan departed from an icebreaker contracted by OceanGate, previously used by the Canadian Coast Guard. This ship has taken numerous people and the submarine to the wreck site in the North Atlantic, where the Titan has made several dives.
International collaboration
The U.S. Coast Guard said Tuesday afternoon that the submarine had about 40 more hours of oxygen supply, meaning it could run out by Thursday morning.
The search and rescue operation has become an accelerated logistics internationally. U.S. and Canadian authorities are at the site, about 166 kilometers east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. France has sent a ship equipped with an underwater robot capable of reaching the depths of the Titanic site. In addition, several privately owned vessels, including one with a decompression chamber and others with underwater search devices, are preparing to join the recovery mission. OceanGate Expeditions, operator of the Titan and the Titanic’s inspection voyage, is leading underwater search efforts because of its expertise in the area.
Possible signs of life
Prior to these events, an international exploration club with members aboard the Titan reported the detection of “probable signs of life”, raising hopes of a rescue. Richard Garriott de Cayeux, president of the New York-based Explorers Club, shared on Twitter that the “field data” has generated new hope at the club, without offering specific details about the “signs of life” detected.
Equipment and crew on board del titan
The Explorers Club confirmed the presence of Hamish Harding, founder of Action Group and passionate adventurer, as well as Frenchman Paul Henry Nargeolet, on board the ship. The other three members are Stockton Rush, founder of OceanGate, and Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, father and son from a prominent family in Pakistan.
The Titan Rescue Challenge
During a news conference in Boston on Tuesday, U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Jamie Frederick did not confirm whether there would be enough time to rescue the submarine, even if it was found immediately, before the air runs out. The main priority is to locate the ship, but it is also considered crucial to move the rescue team to the search site.
Collaboration with Magellan
The Explorers Club is working to get approval for a remotely operated specialized underwater vehicle, owned by exploration company Magellan, to join the search for the Titan. Magellan’s team can dive to depths of up to 6,000 meters and has explored the wreck of the Titanic on several occasions, de Cayeux said. Their collaboration is expected to provide valuable assistance in the rescue operation.
Magellan said in a statement on its website that it is “fully prepared to provide assistance.” OceanGate asked Magellan to bring the necessary equipment and crew to Newfoundland, Magellan reported.
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