The submersible that had been missing for several days with five people on board has been discovered lifeless after the small vessel transporting them to the Titanic wreckage site experienced a “catastrophic implosion.”
According to the United States Coast Guard, the Titanic sank in the vicinity of Newfoundland, around 450 kilometers off the coast of Canada in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, on Sunday, June 18.
Two primary factors contributed to the demise of the Titanic sub and the loss of all passengers on board.
Firstly, industry experts and former passengers have emphasized the tremendous risk associated with the expedition undertaken by the Titan submersible and its crew, as reported by the Guardian UK. The submersible had to endure immense pressure at a depth of nearly 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) below sea level, matching the depth at which the Titanic came to rest. There was also the constant danger of becoming disoriented or losing communication with the surface. Pilot Stockton Rush, who was among the victims, acknowledged the hazards before the voyage, highlighting the challenge of navigating close to the Titanic through the water column that spans two and a half miles.
He emphasized the unpredictable nature of currents, which fluctuate daily, seasonally, and significantly at the thermocline, without any means of tracking them accurately.
Secondly, experts have raised concerns about whether all necessary safety precautions were followed. The Guardian UK revealed that passengers were informed of the potential risks before embarking on the journey.
While standard checks and procedures were adhered to prior to the submersible’s departure, questions have been raised regarding the vessel’s compliance with industry safety standards.
In an unpublished interview with the Guardian last year, Rush mentioned that the custom-built vessel was designed to reach and observe the Titanic, capable of descending 2.5 miles through the water column and maneuvering within inches of the wreck.
He acknowledged that favorable current conditions had thus far allowed for relative ease of operation on the wreck. However, if currents were strong, adjustments would be made to the submersible’s approach. In calm conditions, Rush claimed that he could even write his name in the mud using the submersible due to its exceptional maneuverability.
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