WASHINGTON: A Canadian military surveillance aircraft has detected underwater noises in the North Atlantic as an extensive search operation continues for a submersible that disappeared while descending to the wreckage of the Titanic. The US Coast Guard released a statement mentioning the detection of underwater noises without providing further details about their origin. However, this discovery offered a glimmer of hope for the five individuals on board the submersible, as it is estimated that they might have only a day's worth of oxygen remaining if the vessel is still operational.
Efforts to reach the lost submersible face challenges due to its potential depth of approximately 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) below the ocean surface near the final resting place of the historic ocean liner.
Among those missing aboard the submersible are Stockton Rush, the CEO of the expedition-leading company, a British adventurer, two members of a Pakistani business family, and a Titanic expert.
The Coast Guard announced on Twitter that a Canadian P-3 Orion aircraft had detected underwater noises in the designated search area. Subsequently, an underwater robot was deployed to investigate the location. Unfortunately, these searches have not produced any positive results thus far, although they are ongoing. The data collected by the P-3 aircraft has been shared with US Navy experts for further analysis, which will be taken into consideration for future search plans, according to the Coast Guard.
The US military has contributed three C-17 transport planes to transport commercial submersibles and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St. John's, Newfoundland, to assist in the search operation, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the US Air Mobility Command.
The Canadian military has also been actively involved in the search efforts, providing a patrol aircraft and two surface ships, one of which specializes in dive medicine. Additionally, sonar buoys were deployed to listen for any sounds emitted by the submersible. Time is of the essence in the rescue operation, as the vessel could potentially run out of oxygen by Thursday morning, even in the best-case scenario.
David Pogue, a journalist from CBS News who previously traveled to the Titanic aboard the submersible Titan, provided insight into the sub's communication systems. He explained that the vehicle employs two types of communication: text messages exchanged with a surface ship and safety pings emitted every 15 minutes to indicate the sub's operational status. Both communication systems ceased functioning approximately one hour and 45 minutes after the submersible submerged. Pogue stated that this development could signify two possibilities: a complete power failure or instantaneous implosion of the vessel due to a hull breach. Both scenarios are considered highly grim. Pogue mentioned that the submersible is equipped with seven backup systems designed to facilitate resurfacing, including mechanisms such as sandbags, lead pipes that detach, and an inflatable balloon. One of these systems is designed to function even if all occupants are unconscious, Pogue added.
The search operation remains underway, with international teams working tirelessly to locate and rescue the missing submersible and its occupants.
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