There have been no significant updates regarding the missing Titanic submersible aside from known reports of noises detected nearby the search, according to the First Coast Guard District response coordinator, Captain Jamie Frederick, Your Content is first to report.
“This is a search and rescue mission 100%. We currently have five service assets searching for the Titan and we expect ten to search in the next 24 to 48 hours,” Captain Jamie Frederick said Wednesday afternoon. “Yesterday a Canadian P3 detected underwater noises in the search area. Although the searches revealed negative results they continue.”
“The surface search is now approximately two times the size of Connecticut and several miles deep. There is an enormous complexity associated with this case.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the international assistance provided,” Captain Jamie Frederick continued. “We remain in close contact with the family members and the crew to ensure they are fully aware of our search efforts.”
This is a developing breaking news story. Details about the status of the passengers are yet to be revealed. Stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available.
The OceanGate submersible, known as Titan, was part of a planned eight-day expedition to the site of the Titanic wreck. The vessel embarked from its support ship, the Polar Prince, on Sunday morning with the objective of conducting a two-hour descent to the famous wreckage.
The Polar Prince had departed from St. John’s, Newfoundland on Friday, June 16, and arrived at the dive site the following day. The descent started at 9 a.m. Atlantic Daylight Time on Sunday, June 18. The last communication between the vessel and the surface staff of OceanGate was recorded at 11:47 a.m. that same day.
The vessel was originally scheduled to resurface at 6:10 p.m. However, when it failed to make contact, authorities were notified, and a response operation was initiated at 6:35 p.m.
The passengers on the Titan submersible included Stockton Rush, CEO and founder of OceanGate, British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, his son Sulaiman Dawood, and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
The Titanic wreck site, situated approximately 12,500 feet below sea level, is almost 10 times the height of the Empire State Building, presenting significant challenges to search and rescue operations.