According to an internal memo from the US government regarding the search for a missing Titanic submersible with five people aboard that had ventured into the Titanic wreckage, sonar detected banging sounds on Tuesday in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The memo stated that the banging sounds were picked up every 30 minutes. The noises persisted even after deploying additional sonar devices four hours later. The specific time and duration of the banging sounds on Tuesday were not clarified in the memo obtained by CNN.
A subsequent update in the memo mentioned that further acoustic feedback was heard, providing valuable information for directing surface assets and indicating the possibility of survivors. In addition, a Canadian P3 aircraft identified a white rectangular object in the water, as noted in the same update. However, instead of investigating the object, another ship was diverted to assist in researching the acoustic feedback.
Rolling Stone was the first to report this news on Tuesday night.
The US Coast Guard confirmed that underwater noises were detected by a Canadian P-3 aircraft, leading to the reallocation of resources to investigate their source. However, despite the search efforts, no positive results have been obtained, as tweeted by the agency.
Additionally, the US Coast Guard stated that the information obtained from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with their experts from the US Navy for thorough analysis. The results of this analysis will be taken into account for future search strategies, according to the Coast Guard.
This development arises amidst a frantic international race against time to locate the submersible and its five occupants before their oxygen supply is depleted. As the extensive search entered its third day, additional ships and aircraft have joined the mission, further escalating the efforts.
International Rescue Mission Intensifies as US Navy Deploys Specialized Equipment
In a crucial development, the US Navy has announced its involvement in the ongoing rescue operation for a Titanic Submersible that went missing on Sunday morning.
With just over 30 hours of oxygen remaining for the submersible’s one pilot and four mission specialists, the US Navy is dispatching subject matter experts and a “Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System” to aid in the search and recovery efforts.
The advanced system has the capability to lift and retrieve large and heavy objects from the depths of the ocean, making it well-suited for the task at hand. According to a spokesperson, the equipment and personnel are scheduled to arrive at St. John’s, Newfoundland, by Tuesday night.
Collaborating closely with the US Navy, the US Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Air Force are bolstering the search operation with additional aircraft and vessels. This expanded fleet of assets includes a Canadian pipe-laying vessel with underwater capabilities, alongside other ships and aircraft, aiming to assist in locating the 21-foot submersible.
Dubbed “Titan,” the submersible is approximately the size of a minivan and is equipped with repurposed everyday items, including a video game controller for steering. Authorities emphasize the significance of sonar equipment in detecting underwater sounds during the search, given the potential depth at which the vessel may be located.
OceanGate Expeditions, the operator of Titan, has stated that the submersible begins each journey with 96 hours of life support. However, with time running out, the focus now rests on finding and rescuing the crew. The challenges ahead involve not only locating the submersible but also devising a strategy to safely bring it to the surface and retrieve the occupants.