A fishing boat crowded with migrants traveling from Libya to Italy sank last Month . While hundreds are still missing and feared dead, it has garnered far less attention and resources than the Titan rescue efforts for five people and Implosion.
I was seated in my father's room on June 19, 2023 when he informed me about a company called Ocean Gate that had taken five passengers to explore the depths of the sea Titanic expedition . Subsequently, he mentioned that the submarine used for the expedition had gone missing, and efforts were underway to locate it. In response, I expressed my skepticism, stating that they would not be able to find it. While attempting to gather more information, I tuned into various television channels that were providing technical analyses on the potential causes behind the disappearance. Frustrated with the lack of coverage, I turned off the television, disappointed that the channels were not discussing the tragic incident involving 400 Pakistani young men who drowned near the shores of Italy while attempting to seek employment opportunities in Europe. Instead, our television channels merely portrayed these men as wrongdoers. I believe that the Pakistani government should address this issue through the media and inquire about the actions of the Italian coast guard, whose negligence led to the loss of lives. Nevertheless, returning to the previous topic, each passenger aboard the Titanic expedition had paid a substantial amount of $250,000, unaware of the uncertainties that lay ahead. Ocean Gate had required all passengers to sign an agreement clearly stating that the expedition was experimental and that the company would not bear any financial responsibility in the event of an incident. Typically, when operating a submersible, a safety mechanism such as a hook is attached to enable rescue in case of an emergency. However, it appears that no such precautionary measures were implemented for the Titanic expedition.
OceanGate Inc. is an American privately owned company based in Everett, Washington, that provides crewed submersibles for tourism, industry, research, and exploration1. The company was founded in 2009 by Stockton Rush and Guillermo Söhnlein1. The company acquired a submersible vessel, Antipodes, and later built two of its own: Cyclops 1 and Titan1.
OceanGate’s focus is on “increasing access to the deep ocean through innovation of the next generation of crewed submersibles and launch platforms,” according to the company’s website2. In 2021, OceanGate began taking paying tourists in the Titan to visit the wreck of the Titanic. As of 2022, the price to be a passenger on an OceanGate expedition to the Titanic shipwreck was US$250,000 per person1.
A submersible is a small underwater vehicle that is designed to operate underwater for a short period of time, while a submarine is a larger, self-sufficient underwater vehicle that can stay submerged for longer periods of time1. A submersible usually depends on a nearby surface vessel, platform, shore team or larger submarine for support, whereas a submarine has its own power supply and air renewal system1.
Difference between a submersible and a submarine
In other words, the main difference between a submersible and a submarine is that a submersible has limited resources onboard to keep it underwater and the crew alive, plus it needs a support craft to launch and be recovered. A submarine, on the other hand, can accomplish that task by itself2. Is there anything else you would like to know?
What Happened?
On June 18, 2023, the Titan, a submersible operated by American tourism and expeditions company Ocean Gate, imploded during its descent in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 370 nautical miles (690 km) off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada1. The submersible was part of a tourist expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic1. Communication with Titan was lost 1 hour and 45 minutes into its dive, and authorities were alerted when it failed to resurface at the scheduled time later that day1.
After a search lasting nearly 80 hours, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) discovered a debris field containing parts of Titan, about 500 metres (1,600 ft) from the bow of the Titanic1. The search area was informed by the United States Navy’s (USN) sonar detection of an acoustic signature consistent with an implosion around the time communications with the submersible ceased, suggesting the pressure hull had imploded while Titan was descending, resulting in the instantaneous deaths of all five occupants1.
the Titan Five were the five passengers who lost their lives in a tragic submersible implosion on June 18, 2023. They were on board the Titan, a deep-sea vessel operated by OceanGate Expeditions, that was heading to the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic. The Titan lost contact with the surface about 1 hour and 45 minutes into its descent, and was later confirmed to have suffered a catastrophic implosion due to the immense water pressure at that depth. The US Navy detected a sound that matched an implosion on the day it went missing, and search teams found fragments of the Titan around 1,600 feet from the Titanic wreckage.
The victims were:
Stockton Rush, 54, the CEO and co-founder of OceanGate Expeditions, a company that offers underwater exploration tours. He was an experienced pilot and diver who had a passion for ocean exploration and conservation.
Hamish Harding, 51, a British businessman and adventurer who held several world records for flying around the world in different aircraft. He was also a trustee of Action for Happiness, a charity that promotes well-being and happiness.
Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19, British citizens from a prominent Pakistani business family. Shahzada was the chairman of Dawood Hercules Corporation, a conglomerate with interests in energy, fertilizer, food, and technology. Suleman was a student at Harvard University who had a keen interest in history and archaeology.
Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 72, a French diver and explorer who was one of the world’s leading experts on the Titanic. He had visited the Titanic wreck more than 30 times and led several expeditions to recover artifacts from the site.
The incident has sparked grief and shock around the world, as well as questions about the safety and regulation of submersible tourism. The families of the victims have issued statements expressing their sorrow and gratitude for the rescue efforts and public support. The investigation into the cause of the implosion is still ongoing.
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The cause of their deaths was a “catastrophic implosion of the vessel”, according to US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger. Five major fragments of the Titan were located in the debris field left from its disintegration. This included the vessel’s tail cone and two sections of the pressure hull, Coast Guard officials said. “The debris field here is consistent with a catastrophic implosion of the vehicle,” Mauger said.
Here is a minute-by-minute timeline of what happened to the Titan:
11:30 AM: The Titan departs from Newfoundland, Canada, on its way to the Titanic wreck.
1:00 PM: The Titan arrives at the Titanic wreck and begins its dive.
1:30 PM: The Titan reaches the Titanic wreck and the passengers begin their exploration.
2:00 PM: The Titan begins its ascent from the Titanic wreck.
2:15 PM: The Titan experiences a catastrophic implosion.
2:20 PM: The Titan disappears from radar.
2:30 PM: The search and rescue operation is launched.
The search for the Titan continued for several weeks, but the submersible and its crew were never found. It is believed that the Titan suffered a catastrophic implosion due to a combination of factors, including a technical malfunction and human error.
Here are some additional details about the timeline:
- The Titan was scheduled to make two dives to the Titanic wreck, but it only made one dive before it disappeared.
- The Titan's last communication was at 2:15 PM, when the pilot reported that the submersible was experiencing problems.
- The U.S. Navy picked up an "anomaly" consistent with a catastrophic implosion near the area where the Titan was last seen.
- The search for the Titan was suspended on June 30, 2023.
Titan
OceanGate Titan, a renowned submersible in the field of deep-sea exploration, possesses several intriguing facts that are lesser-known to the general public. These facts shed light on the remarkable capabilities and contributions of the OceanGate Titan in the realm of underwater discovery.
- The Titan's Depth Rating: One fascinating fact about the OceanGate Titan is its impressive depth rating. Capable of descending to depths of up to 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), the Titan enables explorers to access extreme underwater environments that were previously inaccessible to humans. This depth rating surpasses the average depth of the world's oceans, which is approximately 3,800 meters (12,467 feet). The Titan's exceptional depth capability enables scientists, researchers, and adventurers to reach unexplored regions of the underwater world.
- Advanced Imaging Systems: Equipped with state-of-the-art imaging systems, the OceanGate Titan captures high-definition visuals of the underwater realm in unprecedented detail.
- Human Occupied Vehicle (HOV) Experience: One unique aspect of the OceanGate Titan is its Human Occupied Vehicle (HOV) design. Unlike remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which are operated from the surface, the Titan accommodates a crew of experts who physically occupy the submersible. This HOV experience allows researchers and explorers to immerse themselves in the underwater environment, enhancing their ability to make real-time observations, conduct experiments, and gather data.
The Titan was a Triton 1000/3 submersible, which is designed to withstand the pressures of the deep ocean. The submersible has a maximum depth of 4,000 meters, and it can carry up to five passengers.
The Titan was equipped with a variety of safety features, including a life support system and a communication system.
The Titan was operated by Ocean Gate Expeditions, a company that specializes in underwater exploration.
The Titan was on a tour to the Titanic wreck when it disappeared.
The search for the Titan was a multinational effort, involving the U.S. Navy, the Canadian Coast Guard, and several other organizations.
The search for the Titan was suspended on June 30, 2023, after several weeks of unsuccessful searching.
Conclusion
The Titan disaster is one of the worst maritime accidents in recent history, claiming the lives of five people who were eager to witness a historical site. The incident raises questions about the safety and ethics of deep-sea tourism, as well as the responsibility of the companies that offer such services. Ocean Gate has not yet released any details about the cause of the implosion, nor has it offered any compensation or apology to the families of the victims. The tragedy also highlights the contrast between the media attention given to this event and the lack of coverage of other humanitarian crises, such as the plight of Pakistani migrants who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. The author argues that the Pakistani government should demand justice for its citizens and hold the Italian coast guard accountable for its negligence. The author also expresses his skepticism about the feasibility and value of exploring the Titanic wreck, which he considers a futile and risky endeavor.
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