Coast Guard says it cannot guarantee rescue of missing Titanic submersible even if they find it – as oxygen supply dwindles to just 40 hours
- The Coast Guard deployed remotely operated vehicles to dive in search of the missing submarine
- Even if they find it, getting it to the surface of the ocean will pose another challenge.
- The submersible collapsed at 8 a.m. Sunday; he has 40 hours of oxygen left
The US Coast Guard has issued the grim warning that they may not be able to save the missing Titanic tourist submarine, even if they manage to find it.
The Titan submersible has been missing since 9:45 a.m. Sunday morning after being launched into the Atlantic at 8 a.m.
There are five people on board including three wealthy tourists.
The submersible’s oxygen supply for the five people on board is down to just 40 hours.
At a news conference at the US Coast Guard Station in Boston – which coordinates search and rescue efforts – First District Response Coordinator Capt. Jamie Frederick said he was not certain that the submarine can be saved – even if it is found today.
During a press conference at the US Coast Guard Station in Boston – which coordinates search and rescue efforts – Captain Jamie Frederick, the First District’s response coordinator, said he was not certain that the submarine can be saved – even if it is found today.
The company’s Titan submarine was submerged at 8 a.m. Sunday morning about 400 miles southeast of St John’s, Newfoundland, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. He lost contact at 9.45 a.m. but was not reported to the coastguard until 5.40 p.m.
“Even with that amount of time remaining, if you were to find the submersible right now, would that give you enough time to rescue those five people on board?” he was asked.
“I don’t know the answer to that question…all I know is that we will do everything in our power to effect a rescue.”
At 12,500 feet underwater, few ships are able to dive deep enough to find it.
The only ones capable of searching the bottom of the ocean are remote-controlled vehicles.
They are now on their way to the site. If they find the submarine, bringing it to the surface is another feat, requiring specialized equipment that is not yet on site.
Other experts have compared it to needing a 2.5 mile long cable to get to the far side of the moon. Several civilian ships are participating in the search, as well as ships and aircraft from the United States Navy and Canadian Navy.
Among the equipment currently en route to the site is a decompression chamber for the five passengers, should they manage to bring them to the surface.
“Having recovery equipment on site is a top priority,” Frederick said.
The logistical challenge is immense; the wreck of the Titanic is located about 400 miles southeast of St Johns, Newfoundland – about 900 miles east of Cape Cod.
A Canadian Coast Guard is expected to arrive in the search area this evening.
Shahzada Dawood, 48, (pictured with his wife Christine), a UK board member of the Prince’s Trust charity, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, are among five people missing in the sub- sailor who went to see the wreck of the Titanic, it was revealed today
Among the expedition participants is billionaire Hamish Harding (pictured), CEO of Action Aviation in Dubai. He excitedly posted on social media that he was there on Sunday
French Navy veteran PH Nargeolet (left) is believed to be taking part in the expedition, with Stockton Rush (right), CEO of the OceanGate expedition
