The search for the missing Titanic submersible, Titan, passed the critical 96-hour mark for oxygen supply on Thursday, June 22, 2023. The submersible, which was carrying a five-person crew, disappeared on Sunday, June 19, while on an expedition to view the wreckage of the Titanic.
The U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies have been conducting a search for the submersible, but so far have been unable to locate it. The search has been hampered by the harsh underwater conditions, including strong currents and low visibility.
The Titan is equipped with a 96-hour oxygen supply, which means that the crew would have run out of air by Thursday morning. However, there is still hope that they may have found a way to extend their oxygen supply or that they have found a way to survive without oxygen.
The Coast Guard has said that they will continue the search for the Titan until there is no hope of finding the crew alive. The search has been expanded to include a larger area and the use of more sophisticated sonar equipment.
The disappearance of the Titan has raised concerns about the safety of submersible tourism. Titanic expeditions are a popular tourist attraction, and there have been a number of accidents involving submersibles in recent years.
In 2019, a submersible carrying tourists to the Titanic wreckage sank, killing all 11 people on board. The accident led to a number of safety changes, including the requirement that all submersibles carry a backup oxygen supply.
The disappearance of the Titan is a reminder of the dangers of submersible tourism. However, it is important to note that these accidents are rare, and that Titanic expeditions are generally safe.
The search for the Titan is ongoing, and there is still hope that the crew will be found alive. However, the clock is ticking, and the chances of finding them alive are diminishing with each passing day.