The US Coast Guard is sending its condolences to the families of the five men on board the Titan—a submersible that went missing Sunday morning while on descent to the Titanic wreck—after debris, consistent with a “catastrophic implosion” was located yesterday.
US Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger provided the update yesterday afternoon.
An ROV from the Horizon Arctic located the tail cone of the Titan yesterday morning approximately 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic. More debris was subsequently found scattered on the ocean floor.
(OceanGate Titan Submersible on the Polar Prince via Horizon Maritime.)
To now, no bodies were located, and Mauger was unable to say whether or not recovery was possible.
He calls the seafloor an “incredibly unforgiving environment”. He says a search will continue, but he was unable to provide any answers at this time as to the prospects of locating or recovering remains.
The Titan, a 21-foot submersible owned by OceanGate Expeditions, had five people on board, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet, UK Billionaire and adventurer Hamish Harding and UK/Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman.
— OceanGate Expeditions (@OceanGateExped) June 22, 2023
Now that the fate of the Titan and its crew is known, the focus turns to what happened and why.
The US Coast Guard says it will continue to search the site and there is a possibility that, depending on available resources, that some of the debris might be able to be recovered.
Questions had previously been raised about the safety of OceanGate’s submersible, constructed of carbon fibre and titanium, and there is a larger growing debate over the regulation of extreme tourism.
A number of Canadian Coast Guard vessels were involved in the search and the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax says those vessels are now returning to base. The extent of Canadian assistance with recovery and salvage is currently being discussed according to the JRCC.
Sean Leet, co-founder of Horizon Maritime Services, and Chief Misel Joe.
The team involved in support and logistics for the OceanGate expedition is expressing its deep condolences and support for the family, friends and colleagues of the Titan crew.
Miawpukek Horizon Maritime Services and Horizon Maritime Services say they are saddened by the tragic news and had been holding out hope that the crew would be found and returned safely.
The companies commend the crews on board the Polar Prince and the Horizon Arctic who “worked tirelessly over the last number of days on the search and rescue effort.”
(Polar Prince vessel via Horizon Maritime.)
The companies say the work carried out under “difficult circumstances is a testament to” the professionalism and dedication of their crews and contractors.
In the meantime, Saqamaw Misel Joe of the Miawpukek First Nation is expressing his deep sadness in light of the news. He thanked the many people across the country and around the world for their prayers for the crew’s safe return.
He offered his gratitude for Miawpukek Horizon Maritime Services’ staff and crew for working so hard over the last number of days, and offered his condolences to all of the family, friends and colleagues of the lost crew members.
The Premier is offering his deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, now that debris from the Titan submersible has been located.
Premier Andrew Furey says the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are too familiar with loss and tragedy on the ocean and he offers his support to the families who are gathering in St. John’s.
The Polar Prince, which had been providing support to the Titan’s Titanic expedition, and subsequent search, is scheduled to return to St. John’s Harbour tomorrow.
(OceanGate Titan Submersible via Horizon Marine.)
