An expert in the submersible vehicle industry says current indications do not portend well for the missing Titan submersible carrying five visitors on Sunday’s expedition to the Titanic wreck.
One hour and forty-five minutes into the descent, according to The New York Times, the vessel disappeared. The dives last approximately eight hours, with the ascent and descent taking approximately 2.5 hours each.
Steve Somlyody of Florida, who has spent 20 years in the design and operation of submersibles, told Fox News on Monday, “For there not to be any communications or any movement, indications are that something went critical.”
Somlyody stated that a sonobuoy similar to the ones used to locate the Titan would detect it if it were to rise to the surface. The Titan was designed with emergency methods to rise to the surface.
“The lack of signs of communication is deeply worrisome,” he said.
Somlyody stated that pressure is the greatest adversary at the depth where the Titanic lies.
“The pressure down there at 4,000 meters is pretty high. About 5,800 [pounds per square inch] at Titanic depth. If they had any kind of leak, it would lead to an implosion, and it would happen in an instant, very immediately. You wouldn’t even know it happened,” he said.
Only two vessels in the United States, according to Somlyody, could reach the depth of the Titanic. He stated that their deployment would require preparation and transportation time.
He stated that the Titan could jettison equipment in an endeavor to ascend.
“If they were to float up from that depth, it would take a significant amount of time, depending upon how much weight they were able to shed and how buoyant they become,” Somlyody said, estimating that such an ascension could take up to 10 hours.
Monday, OceanGate, the operator of the tourist dives, verified it had lost contact with the Titan.
“We are exploring and mobilizing all options to bring the crew back safely. Our entire focus is on the crewmembers in the submersible and their families. We are working toward the safe return of the crewmembers,” the company said in a statement.
— OceanGate Expeditions (@OceanGateExped) June 19, 2023
The expedition cost passengers about $250,000, according to ABC News. CONTINUE READING…