A collaborative effort between US and Canadian ships and aircraft is underway to locate a submarine that went missing more than 24 hours ago off Canada’s southeastern coast.
The vessel was on a mission to transport tourists to the site of the Titanic wreckage. The submarine, belonging to OceanGate Expeditions, carried one pilot and four passengers when it lost contact.
Officials revealed that the submarine can stay submerged for up to 96 hours. However, it is uncertain whether it is still underwater or has surfaced and cannot establish communication. The search operation is focused around 900 miles east of Cape Cod, a remote area presenting challenges to the search team.
Search and Rescue Operation Intensifies
US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger reported that the search effort includes dropping sonar buoys capable of monitoring depths of up to 13,000 feet. Commercial vessels have also been asked to assist in the search.
The company operating the submarine, OceanGate Expeditions, pledged to mobilize all resources to help in the rescue operation. While the effort to locate the missing submarine continues, the passengers’ identities onboard have been revealed.
British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman were confirmed to be onboard by family members through social media and official statements.
Deep-Sea Tourism and the Titanic Attraction
The missing submarine, known as the Titan, was embarking on an expedition to the wreckage site of the Titanic. These expeditions, as described on OceanGate’s website, begin in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and journey approximately 400 miles into the Atlantic.
Passengers aboard the Titan take two hours to approximately 12,500 feet below sea level to visit the Titanic wreckage site.
The Titanic, a British passenger ship, tragically sank during its maiden voyage in 1912 after colliding with an iceberg, resulting in over 1,500 fatalities. The incident has been extensively depicted in literature and films, including the 1997 blockbuster movie “Titanic.”
Additional news input was taken from Reuters.
