The harrowing search continues for five people missing in a submersible believed to have imploded some 10,000 feet underwater while traveling to the Titanic.
Experienced diver G. Michael Harris, who knows three of the five mission specialists aboard the missing sub, said that nothing can be done under these extraordinary depths and that even the US Navy is powerless in such an environment.
“No. No. I mean, I don’t see anything that can happen at this point,” said Harris when asked about the prospects of the US Navy rescuing the occupants of the Titan. “When you’re talking 6,000 pounds per square inch, it is a dangerous environment. More people have been to outer-space than to this depth of the ocean.”
The dive took around two and a half hours, and went to depths of 10,000 feet. Aboard the vessel were five people, including British billionaire Hamish Harding and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. Also missing is Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman l, as well as French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet.
The mission specialists reportedly communicated by sending a ping to the Polar Prince for every fifteen minutes, though contact was lost at around 10am EST on Sunday whilst the submarine floated above the Titanic wreckage.
Rescue crews from both the US and Canada are desperately searching for the submarine, but the pressure of the water and the potential for a hull fault could mean that, sadly, any hope for rescue has all but gone.
The mission was the third annual voyage with paying tourists to view the wreck 12,500ft under water, a total trip that took around eight to ten hours. Customers reportedly paid between $100,000 to $150,000 with a ‘mission support fee’ of $250,000 for expeditions planned in 2023.
The tragic expedition has garnered sympathy from around the globe, with the family of Shahzada Dawood releasing a statement of gratitude.
“We are very grateful for the concern being shown by our colleagues and friends and would like to request everyone to pray for their safety while granting the family privacy at this time,” they said.
It is not the first time deep-sea exploration has met with accident; in 2019 with the death of deep-sea diver Rob Stewart, who tragically passed away during a shark-diving expedition some 6,000 feet below the Caribbean sea.
As news of the submersible crisis continue to spread, people’s prayers and hopes remain with the five mission specialists. The Titanic wreckage continues to deeply enthrall and fascinate people around the world, we can only hope that what remains of the ship continues to be a source of interest and exploration rather than despair and tragedy.
