Imploded Titanic Submarine Revealed as Recovery Operations Begin.
The wreckage of the Titan, a submarine that imploded in the depths of the Atlantic, has been seen for the first time in images captured on Wednesday.
Deep-sea robots brought debris from the Titan to the surface as the US Coast Guard continues its recovery operations following the submarine’s catastrophic implosion.
The US Coast Guard had previously announced on June 22 that remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs) had discovered the chambers of the Titan amidst a sea of debris, approximately 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic and 12,000 feet below the ocean surface.
Pelagic Research Services, the company operating the ROV that made the initial debris findings, confirmed on Wednesday that their team had successfully completed offshore operations and was now in the demobilization phase after ten days of work.
A press conference is scheduled to provide further details.
Photos taken at the wharf show various pieces of the submersible being lifted from the ship, including the nose cone with its distinctive circular window. The American ships Sycamore and Horizon Arctic unloaded the recovered pieces at a port in St John’s, Newfoundland.
Liam MacDonald, a spokesperson for the TSB (Transportation Safety Board), stated that they are unable to provide additional information as the investigation is still ongoing.
The CEO of the company operating the Titan, Stockton Rush, along with British billionaire Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, were aboard the submarine when it imploded last week.
The submersible lost contact with its mothership, Polar Prince, just one hour and 45 minutes into its descent to the Titanic wreck on June 18, leading to a frantic four-day search. Canadian, American, and French authorities conducted extensive searches in the hopes of finding signs of life before the tragic developments on June 22.
According to the Coast Guard, the US Navy detected sounds matching an “implosion or explosion” after the sub vanished but before rescue efforts were initiated. Rescue efforts continued as the information was not definitive, as stated by the Coast Guard.
An international group of agencies is currently investigating the cause of the submarine’s implosion, and US maritime officials intend to issue a report aimed at enhancing the safety of submersibles worldwide.
The Coast Guard has reported ongoing salvage operations but acknowledged the challenges of recovering the bodies due to the harsh conditions on the ocean floor. A final report will be issued by the International Maritime Organization.