Titanic tourist sub goes missing in Atlantic Ocean, June 2023

[Gardenista]

Question: maybe anyone knows. If something medical happened during the descent to Stoughton Rush, would the rest of the group be able to navigate the submersible, communicate with the mother ship or even, get up? Or does it require special knowledge that neither of the remaining four people have nor can be taught during a short time before the trip?
From my understanding, the submersible itself is a simple bathyscaphe with load, made of newer materials and hence, technically able to withstand higher pressures. I don’t know if it has a propeller or not; it should, theoretically, in order to move and see something underwater; but essentially, it is dropped, loaded, from the mother ship, and at the end of the trip, it disengages from the load and slowly resurfaces. Theoretically, it is simple mechanism, but would they passengers be able to manage it on their own if the captain had, say, a medical episode?

I believe Paul-Henri Nargeolet is the pilot, so there are 2 people who can operate the sub

 

[happyday]

I do wonder what the conversations have been and how the tourists are dealing with CEO and his profit over safety death trap.

Same here!!! I also am perplexed why the retired French navy diver would even go in such a janky vessel. He had to know it wasn’t safe?

 

[Bostongirl]

I believe Paul-Henri Nargeolet is the pilot, so there are 2 people who can operate the sub

Yes I had seen that Nargeolet has the capability to pilot it, but that in this case Rush was piloting.

It is stated in this article, however could be behind paywall for some.

Here Are the Passengers Aboard the Missing Submersible

The five people aboard are the founder of the company that operates the vessel; a British businessman and explorer; a British father and teenage son from a prominent Pakistani family; and a French maritime expert.

www.nytimes.com

 

[CoverMeCagney]

The descent took about two hours, he said. The submarine would be shut down to minimum power for the journey down, and then the pilot would power it up about 15 minutes before it reached the sea floor.''

Interesting that there was a ping at 1h45 but nothing at 2h. Did the power up cause some sort of malfunction?

 

[happyday]

I have felt the most likely scenario is that a hull failure caused implosion before they got all the way to the wreckage. But after hearing last night about the banging, my stomach turned. If they are indeed alive, they most likely know their rescue at those depths is a long shot. Ugh.
I think the rescue team doesn’t really think the white rectangle object is related or they would have aggressively checked it out and we would have heard by now. I doubt they’re surfaced because they have several ways to signal in that case, and they haven’t.

 

[heartandsoul]

Same here!!! I also am perplexed why the retired French navy diver would even go in such a janky vessel. He had to know it wasn’t safe?

He's a Titanic researcher, so seeing the wreck close up was probably worth the risk to him.

I have to admit, the possibility that the banging noises are coming from the sub made me feel even more nauseous.

 

[MoominMama222]

It is their risk to take, but not quite. There is always the question of being fully aware of the risks. I can imagine that a 59-year-old billionaire or a French diver might have accepted the possibility of a catastrophe. (Some people are simply not made to die in own beds.) But for Mr. Dawood to knowingly risk the life of his 19-year-old son, his heir, possibly… this is strange, and I wonder if he was fully aware. JMO - it was all about the wish to show such unique shots and videos to their friends. And - it was just the third dive of the Titan. The “never before” effect, wow! (How many people have been on the Everest? Over 6000. How many have seen the Titanic wreckage since the catastrophe? 140. Let us choose the Titanic, it is new and cool.)

However; specifically because of a very young man on board, I doubt that all were fully cognizant of the risks. Chris Brown, the friend of Hamish Harding, asked for his deposit back on realizing that the enterprise was neither safe nor serious. Mr. Harding did not. To me, when the information is processed very differently by two successful, adventurous, smart friends, it might imply certain vagueness allowing for misinterpretation. Or, indeed, the captain in his heart of hearts, did not believe the risks, and sounded convincing. Ultimately, the risks were viewed as acceptable by the four passengers. JMO.

Well said. I totally agree. I also believe the state should have some interest in regulating such endeavors because it is state resources now being used for the rescue mission.

 

[Charlot123]

The 5 people on board are middle-aged and over, except for the 19-year-old lad. The older ones have already had a fair amount of a good and full life, but my heart goes out to the 19-year-old, who has only just begun his journey as a man.

It seems, they are of the same, very adventurous, active, type. Harding, the famed explorer, Nargeolet, called “Mr. Titanic”, Shahzada the father being into sci-fi, and Rush, all appear similar. I am positive that Suleiman took after the father and they shared the same dream, but yes, so very unfair that a young man has to be in this group. At his age, one is aware of dangers, but can’t foresee it happening to himself, especially if he is around adults he trusts. My heart is with his family; what appeared an enviable adventure turned into a scary situation. It seems that everyone has realistic expectations, but tries not to lose hope.

 

[Kemug]

Well said. I totally agree. I also believe the state should have some interest in regulating such endeavors because it is state resources now being used for the rescue mission.

Maybe not in this case, but how many rescuers' lives have been lost over the years trying to save gungho adventurers?

 

[ch_13]

He's a Titanic researcher, so seeing the wreck close up was probably worth the risk to him.

I have to admit, the possibility that the banging noises are coming from the sub made me feel even more nauseous.

The diver, Paul-Henri Hargeolet, had already been down to the wreck dozens of times. I'm pretty sure he wasn't a paying passenger, but a crew member. (I mean a real, salaried crew member, not a fake "mission specialist".)

Paul-Henri Nargeolet Has Made More Than 35 Titanic Site Trips (Published 2023)

Mr. Nargeolet, a French maritime expert, is one of the five people aboard the missing submersible. He works for RMS Titanic, which owns the salvage rights to the wreck.

www.nytimes.com

 

[heartandsoul]

The diver, Paul-Henri Hargeolet, had already been down to the wreck dozens of times. I'm pretty sure he wasn't a paying passenger, but a crew member. (I mean a real, salaried crew member, not a fake "mission specialist".)

Paul-Henri Nargeolet Has Made More Than 35 Titanic Site Trips (Published 2023)

Mr. Nargeolet, a French maritime expert, is one of the five people aboard the missing submersible. He works for RMS Titanic, which owns the salvage rights to the wreck.

www.nytimes.com

Very good point.

 

[dotr]

Missing Titanic Submersible: Noises Are Heard Underwater as Search Efforts Expand

The U.S. Coast Guard said the “underwater noises” were being investigated. More vessels were joining the international search effort for the missing Titan submersible in the North Atlantic.

www.nytimes.com

''LIVEUpdated
June 21, 2023,
9 minutes ago rbbm

''The U.S. Coast Guard said the “underwater noises” were being investigated. More vessels were joining the international search effort for the missing Titan submersible in the North Atlantic.''

''15 minutes ago
''A Canadian surveillance plane “detected underwater noises” in the remote area of the North Atlantic where a submersible with five people aboard disappeared over the weekend, the U.S. Coast Guard said early Wednesday. Remotely operated vehicles were searching for the origin of the sounds.

The Coast Guard’s brief statement on Twitter came after Rolling Stone magazine reported that the Canadian plane had detected “banging sounds” in 30-minute intervals. The report, based on internal communications from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, could not be independently verified. Officials in Canada and the United States did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In an interview with CBS, Rear Adm. John Mauger of the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that the noise was detected on Tuesday but said that “we don’t know the source.” He added that the data had been shared with the U.S. Navy.
More rescue vessels are expected to arrive on Wednesday in the area where teams of international experts have been conducting an extensive search for the Titan submersible, which is thought to have less than a day of oxygen remaining.''

''One of the ships heading to the search area is carrying a French-operated robot capable of operating at the depth where the Titanic sits. It is not expected to reach the scene until Wednesday evening.
Coast Guard officials said Tuesday that an area of 10,000 square miles, roughly the size of Massachusetts, had already been searched. But even if the Titan can be found, retrieving it would require highly specialized equipment that would first need to be transported by ships over great expanses of ocean. The search could also be complicated by a storm system that was expected to move through the North Atlantic on Wednesday.
Here’s what to know:

• Leaders in the submersible craft industry warned for years of possible “catastrophic” problems with the vehicle’s design. They also worried that OceanGate Expeditions, the Titan’s owner, had not followed standard certification procedures.
• Stockton Rush, the chief executive of OceanGate, was piloting the submersible, according to the company. He has advocated for deep-seas tourism in the face of criticism.''

''Three ships – two from Canada and a commercial vessel – arrived on the scene Wednesday morning, the United States Coast Guard said on Twitter.''

 

[AliceInPain]

The diver, Paul-Henri Hargeolet, had already been down to the wreck dozens of times. I'm pretty sure he wasn't a paying passenger, but a crew member. (I mean a real, salaried crew member, not a fake "mission specialist".)

I think the media are playing up the TOURIST aspect. Obviously this was not Noel Gallagher and his sheep herder Welsh cousin going down there to have a beer and a good time.
They seem to have been mostly experienced in this kind of trip, only ones I still don't know about are the dude and the son.
?

 

[ch_13]

It is their risk to take, but not quite. There is always the question of being fully aware of the risks. I can imagine that a 59-year-old billionaire or a French diver might have accepted the possibility of a catastrophe. (Some people are simply not made to die in own beds.) But for Mr. Dawood to knowingly risk the life of his 19-year-old son, his heir, possibly… this is strange, and I wonder if he was fully aware. JMO - it was all about the wish to show such unique shots and videos to their friends. And - it was just the third dive of the Titan. The “never before” effect, wow! (How many people have been on the Everest? Over 6000. How many have seen the Titanic wreckage since the catastrophe? 140. Let us choose the Titanic, it is new and cool.)

However; specifically because of a very young man on board, I doubt that all were fully cognizant of the risks. Chris Brown, the friend of Hamish Harding, asked for his deposit back on realizing that the enterprise was neither safe nor serious. Mr. Harding did not. To me, when the information is processed very differently by two successful, adventurous, smart friends, it might imply certain vagueness allowing for misinterpretation. Or, indeed, the captain in his heart of hearts, did not believe the risks, and sounded convincing. Ultimately, the risks were viewed as acceptable by the four passengers. JMO.

It occurs to me that compared to most other extreme adventures, this is not a particularly taxing or athletic endeavor. If you want to climb Mt. Everest you need to train hard, perhaps for years before you can make it there. OceanGate was promoting this trip as something that could be done in a week and you can basically do the whole thing sitting on your rear end.

From the brochure I linked to upthread, I was struck by how minimal the requirements were to take part.

• Able to live aboard ship at sea for up to one week
• Able to board small boats (Zodiacs) in rough seas
• Have a valid passport and can enter Canada
• Be at least 18 years old when the mission begins
• Comfortable in dynamic environments

<modsnip - not victim friendly>

 

[dotr]

Cool little video.

Scary animation shows how deep missing Titanic sub could be

The clip, created by Spanish animation company MetaBallStudios, gradually descends through a digital underwater scenescape.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Gardenista]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1671469594140082177

 

[sds71]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1671511765870428161

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

I'm honestly not sure which would be worse: being trapped in a sub at the bottom of the ocean knowing there's no escape, or being trapped at the surface, able to see daylight through the viewing port, but having no way to unlock the hatch.

Either option is terrifying.

 

[JDG]

Cool little video.

Scary animation shows how deep missing Titanic sub could be

The clip, created by Spanish animation company MetaBallStudios, gradually descends through a digital underwater scenescape.

www.dailymail.co.uk

You beat me to it dotr!

Excellent video!

 

[Lexiintoronto]

The descent took about two hours, he said. The submarine would be shut down to minimum power for the journey down, and then the pilot would power it up about 15 minutes before it reached the sea floor.''

Interesting that there was a ping at 1h45 but nothing at 2h. Did the power up cause some sort of malfunction?

Reminds me of “Roger, go at throttle up.”