An undated photo shows a tourist submersible belonging to OceanGate beginning its descent in the sea. Search … [+]
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There are grave concerns for the five individuals on board the OceanGate Titan submersible, which disappeared shortly after starting its descent from the surface of the Atlantic Ocean to visit the wreck of the renowned Titanic.
The US Coast Guard has scheduled a press conference for this afternoon, and according to a report by the BBC, it may announce the discovery of the Titan’s remains on the ocean floor.
“A debris field was found within the search area by an ROV near the Titanic,” the Coast Guard stated in a tweet regarding the press conference. “Experts in the unified command are analyzing the information.”
Dive expert David Mearns, who is also a friend of passengers on the Titan, informed the BBC that the debris includes “a landing frame and a rear cover from the submersible.”
The Titan lost contact with the surface less than two hours after its journey commenced on Sunday. It was believed to have approximately 96 hours of oxygen on board.
OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Söhnlein, who departed the company years ago, commented to the British broadcaster in response to the news of the discovered debris: “if there is a failure, it would be an instantaneous implosion. If that’s what happened, it would have happened four days ago.”
If the Titan’s hull indeed failed, it could take a significant amount of time, if ever, to determine the exact cause. Nonetheless, the cause likely lies in the immense forces exerted by the deep ocean.
Dr. Nicolai Roterman, a deep-sea ecologist and lecturer in marine biology at the University of Portsmouth, explains that at a depth of over two miles, the Titan experienced pressures exceeding 5,500 pounds per square inch (PSI).
If the sub failed and exposed the passengers to such pressures, Roterman states that it would result in a swift demise.
“If there was any kind of hull breach, the occupants would succumb to the ocean almost immediately.”
As fellow Forbes contributor Marshall Shepherd highlights, the pressure we encounter from the atmosphere at sea level is a mere 14.7 PSI, less than three-tenths of a percent of the pressure at the site of the Titanic shipwreck.
“I think it’s important to remember that the deep sea is a highly inhospitable environment for us humans,” adds Roternman. “Even the most reliable technology can fail, resulting in accidents like this. With the increasing popularity of deep-sea tourism, we should anticipate more incidents of this nature.”
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
