The catastrophic incident of the implosion of the submersible vessel named Titan that, was on its way to visit the site of the Titanic shipwreck attracted global attention. On June 18, 2023, the incident took place which killed five of its crew onboard. Since the initial days of the incident, experts have been scrutinising the design of the submersible to put together what happened below the ocean’s surface. The incident provides a spine-chilling reminder of the perils associated with deep-sea exploration. In a recent development of the investigation, an image of debris of the Titan submersible recovered from the ocean floor and the crew's final communication, including “all good here,” were among the details that were shared on September 16, 2024 during the U.S. Coast Guard's investigatory hearing. This article will provide you with the timeline of the key events and details surrounding the tragic incident.

Is Last Photo of Wreckage Site Real?

Yes, the last photo of the wreckage site is real. The U.S. Coast Guard has released the first image of the Titan submersible wreckage. The image was captured by a remotely operated vehicle on June 22, 2023, showing the debris of the submersible. Moreover, a new image has been released showing the Titan's tail cone.

See First Image of OceanGate’s Titan Submersible Wreck

Timeline of the Titan Submersible Incident

Titan Goes Missing (June 18, 2023)

The Titan submersible went on a mission to visit the Titanic wreck, located approximately 13,000 feet beneath the Atlantic Ocean’s surface. The submersible lost its communication with its support vessel, the Polar Prince, just one hour and 45 minutes into its dive. The crew has a 96-hour oxygen supply, making rescue efforts a race against time. What Caused the Catastrophic Implosion of the Titan Sub?

International Search Effort Launched (June 19-21, 2023)

Following the loss of communication, a massive search and rescue operation was launched. The US Coast Guard, US Navy, Canadian Coast Guard and OceanGate Expeditions initiated efforts to located the submersible. With time, the hopes of finding the crew alive began to fade.

Debris of Titan Found (June 22, 2023)

The debris of the Titan submersible was located near the Titanic wreck, indicating that the vessel had imploded. The remains were discovered on the ocean floor about 1,600 feet from the Titanic. This confirmed that all five people aboard had perished instantly during the implosion.

Investigation Begins (June 23, 2023)

After discovering the wreckage, investigations were launched to determine the cause of the implosion. The debris provided evidence that pointed towards a catastrophic failure of the hull, leading to the vessel's sudden implosion due to extreme pressure.

What Caused the Titan Submersible Implosion?

The exact reason of the Titan’s implosion remains unknown, and has been the subject of much speculation and investigation. Several studies and reports state that the submersible's design flaws were a contributing factor. The Titan was constructed using a combination of carbon fiber and titanium. Questions were raised about the use of carbon fibre in a deep-sea environment, as it may not withstand the immense pressure experienced at such depths.

Notably, OceanGate opted for this unconventional construction material to keep the cost low and improve efficiency. According to the experts, the repeated exposure to extreme underwater pressures could have caused the material to weaken over time, thus leading to the implosion.

Who Were the Victims?

The five individuals who were onboard died immediately with the Titan submersible implosion. The five crews were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush (61 years), British Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood (48 years), his son Suleman Dawood (19 years), British billionaire Hamish Harding (58 years) and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet (77 years).

The Titan submersible incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with deep-sea exploration, significantly when safety and design standards are compromised. The incident highlighted the need for stringent safety measures and advanced materials in deep-sea exploration. As the investigations continue, the incident underscores the need for proper safety regulations in the emerging field of deep-ocean tourism.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2024 01:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).