OceanGate’s Titan submersible went missing on a dive to view the wreck of the Titanic last Sunday. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing. The newest development is the banging noises heard from the rescue vehicles coming from the ocean. But the problem is the rescue team is not entirely sure where it’s coming from. But what is OceanGate and how exactly did the submarine get lost?
OceanGate’s Titan Submersible and its Descent to the Titanic
OceanGate is a company that runs “dive tours” down to the wreck of the Titanic. It offers the audience a view of the legendary shipwreck from under the water. The Titan submarine is its main vehicle for the dive.
OceanGate’s Titan submersible is as big as a truck but can only fit five people on board with a limited crawlspace. It costs approximately $250,000 to ride the Titan down to the wreck. But regardless of the cost, adventurers still want to go down and see the iconic ship.
In the past, CBS sent reporters to see the Titan and was given the tour by OceanGate’s director, Stockton Rush. According to the footage from CBS, the Titan has only one button and was run using an old model video game controller. It’s not uncommon to use video game controllers as remotes for vehicles, but the reporter found it strange that it was an older model.
The Titan’s dive and who were the passengers
OceanGate’s Titan submersible was originally scheduled for a dive in June last year but it was canceled because the submarine previously sustained damages from a dive. However, with the current conditions met for the dive, it was pushed through last Sunday.
The passengers on this dive were by no means ordinary, here are the five people lost with the submarine,
Hamish Harding
The 58-year-old British adventurer operates Action Aviation, a private jet dealership in Dubai. He has accomplished remarkable exploration feats, including multiple visits to the South Pole, one of which was alongside former astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
In 2022, he made a space journey aboard Blue Origin’s fifth human-crewed flight. Holding three Guinness World Records, one of his notable achievements was spending the longest time at the deepest part of the Mariana Trench.
When asked about his appetite for exploration, he emphasized that all risks are carefully calculated and understood before undertaking any endeavor.
Shahzada and Suleman Dawood
Shahzada Dawood, a 48-year-old British businessman from a wealthy Pakistani family, embarked on a submarine trip with his 19-year-old son, Suleman, who is a student.
Shahzada supports two charitable organizations founded by King Charles: the British Asian Trust and the Prince’s Trust International.
The Palace spokesperson confirmed that the King is closely following the rescue operation and expresses his concern for everyone on board, offering thoughts and prayers.
The family statement describes Suleman, Shahzada’s teenage son, as an avid reader of science fiction literature and a dedicated learner. Suleman also enjoys solving Rubik’s cubes and playing volleyball.
Paul-Henry Nargeolet
Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a former French Navy diver at the age of 77, was also present on the vessel. Known as Mr. Titanic, Nargeolet reportedly spent more time at the Titanic wreck than any other explorer. He was part of the pioneering expedition in 1987, only two years after the discovery of the wreck.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mathieu Johann expressed confidence in Nargeolet’s calm demeanor and military background, which he believed would provide reassurance to the crew on board, regardless of Nargeolet’s direct impact on the operation’s outcome. Before boarding the submarine, Nargeolet expressed his anticipation for an upcoming expedition in the following year to recover objects from the wreck, as mentioned by Johann.
Stockton Rush
Stockton Rush, aged 61, serves as the CEO of OceanGate, the company responsible for organizing the Titanic voyages. It has been confirmed that he is currently on board. Rush is an experienced engineer with a background in designing experimental aircraft and working on small submersible vessels.
In 2009, Rush founded OceanGate, offering individuals the opportunity to explore the depths of the ocean. The company gained significant attention in 2021 when it began offering trips to the Titanic wreck site. The journey involves a 370-mile (595km) voyage on a larger vessel to the location above the wreck site. From there, passengers embark on an eight-hour dive to the Titanic in the Titan submersible, which is roughly the size of a truck.
In a 2022 interview with the New York Times, Rush defended the business model, highlighting that the ticket price is much lower compared to space travel costs. He acknowledged the significant expenses involved in acquiring the necessary ships and conducting the expeditions.
A 2017 feature on the Princeton University website, where Rush studied, revealed that he participates in every OceanGate dive.
Why is the rescue taking so long?
With multiple vehicles like planes and ships looking for the lost submarine, people would assume that the rescue would be quick. However, the teams’ efforts are hindered by a few factors.
The depth of the Titanic is remarkable. It takes about eight hours to travel from the surface of the ocean to the shipwreck. The Titan lost all communication with its mothership one hour and 45 minutes into its descent. However, the coast guard was notified much later approximately eight hours after the submarine was lost communications.
It is estimated that the Titan is one of only five submarines equipped to go down to the depths of the Titanic. Combined with the fact that the rescue team doesn’t know exactly where the Titan is, submarines couldn’t be deployed for the search.
Time is of the essence for the passengers of the Titan. According to records, the submarine is only equipped to be underwater for 96 hours. Oxygen on the vessel will only last until Thursday so the rescue team needs to recover the submarine before then.