The U.S. Coast Guard reported on Wednesday that there is possible that human remains have been found in the debris of the submersible that collapsed during an expedition to explore the remains of the Titanic.
Image source: AP
According to the Coast Guard, the shattered bits and parts of the Titan submersible which imploded on its way to the wreckage site of the Titanic were retrieved and carried to St. John’s Newfoundland about 650 km north of the accident site, by the Canadian-flagged vessel Horizon Arctic.
On June 22, officials confirmed that the submersible had indeed imploded, resulting in the tragic loss of all five individuals aboard. Ocean Gate’s CEO and pilot, Stockton Rush, along with Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, British adventurer Hamish Harding, and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, tragically lost their lives in the implosion incident.
Passengers were charged a fee of $250,000 each to partake in the voyage, raising concerns about the safety of private undersea exploration operations. The implosion of the Titan has prompted questions regarding the overall safety protocols and practices associated with such ventures. The Coast Guard aims to utilize the investigation to enhance the safety measures governing submersible operations and ensure greater safety in the future.
Last week the Coast Guard stated, debris from the Titan was discovered approximately 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) beneath the surface of the water, near the Titanic wreck, about 1,600 feet (488 meters) away on the ocean floor. The Coast Guard has taken the lead in investigating the cause of the submersible’s implosion during its descent on June 18.
Investigation regarding sinkage continues:
The statement released on Wednesday by the Coast Guard confirmed the recovery of debris and evidence from the seabed, which included potential human remains. U.S. Coast Guard Chief Captain Jason Neubauer expressed gratitude for the international and interagency support in retrieving and preserving this crucial evidence from extreme offshore distances and depths.Â
Neubauer emphasized that the evidence would offer valuable insights to investigators from multiple jurisdictions, aiding in understanding the causes behind the tragedy. Neubauer acknowledged that there is still significant work ahead to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future and ensure the safety of such expeditions.
He further mentioned that the Coast Guard has initiated a thorough investigation into the implosion, involving the Marine Board of Investigation.
The board will meticulously examine and test the evidence, including the debris, at a designated port in the United States. The Coast Guard plans to present the evidence during a future public hearing, the date of which has yet to be determined. Neubauer expressed confidence that the evidence will provide crucial insights into the cause of the implosion. It will comprehensively analyze the circumstances surrounding Titan’s collapse.
During the search operation, the Coast Guard sought expertise from various sources, including Carl Hartsfield from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Hartsfield highlighted the significance of analyzing the physical materials recovered from the debris, as they could provide important clues about the events leading to the Titan’s implosion. Additionally, he mentioned the possibility of electronic data being present, as deep-sea vehicles typically record and transmit data. However, the availability of such data is yet to be determined.
The headquarters of Ocean Gate Expeditions, the company which owned and operated the Titan submersible and conducted you of the Titanic wreckage is in the United States, while the submersible itself was registered in the Bahamas. Shortly after the implosion of the Titan, the Ocean Gate company in Everett, Washington, shut down.
