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Titanic sub latest news: What we know about search for the OceanGate submersible Titanic sub latest news: What we know about search for the OceanGate submersible
(about 1 hour later)
Watch: The BBC's Carl Nasman talks through what we know about the missing subWatch: The BBC's Carl Nasman talks through what we know about the missing sub
Watch: The BBC's Carl Nasman talks through what we know about the missing subWatch: The BBC's Carl Nasman talks through what we know about the missing sub
A massive search and rescue effort is continuing in the North Atlantic after a submersible exploring the wreck of the Titanic went missing deep under the ocean on Sunday. There are five people on board.A massive search and rescue effort is continuing in the North Atlantic after a submersible exploring the wreck of the Titanic went missing deep under the ocean on Sunday. There are five people on board.
Researchers aboard the Polar Prince - its mothership on the surface - lost contact with the crew shortly after the Titan began its dive. There is limited oxygen on board, and it is estimated that supplies are set to run out by around 10:00 GMT (06:00 EDT) on Thursday.Researchers aboard the Polar Prince - its mothership on the surface - lost contact with the crew shortly after the Titan began its dive. There is limited oxygen on board, and it is estimated that supplies are set to run out by around 10:00 GMT (06:00 EDT) on Thursday.
Undersea noises have now been detected in the search area, but it is not known where they are coming from or what they mean.Undersea noises have now been detected in the search area, but it is not known where they are coming from or what they mean.
US, Canadian and French agencies are working together to locate the submersible, and the tour firm OceanGate says it is exploring all options to get it back safety. Here is what we know so far.US, Canadian and French agencies are working together to locate the submersible, and the tour firm OceanGate says it is exploring all options to get it back safety. Here is what we know so far.
What's the latest on the search?What's the latest on the search?
A Canadian search plane has picked up underwater noises. Deep-sea experts say it is hard to determine what these noises might be without seeing the data. A Canadian search plane picked up underwater noises on Tuesday and Wednesday. Deep-sea experts say it is hard to determine what these noises might be without seeing the data.
But it is possible they could be short, sharp, relatively high frequency noises - made from within the vessel by hitting a hard object against the end of the sub.But it is possible they could be short, sharp, relatively high frequency noises - made from within the vessel by hitting a hard object against the end of the sub.
The US Coast Guard has sent ROVs - remotely operated vehicles - to search under the surface in that area. You can read more about the equipment being used in our visual guide. The US Coast Guard says it does not know what the noises are at this point. It says the US navy is analysing the data, but so far it remains inconclusive.
The US Coast Guard has sent ROVs - remotely operated vehicles - to search under the surface in the area where sounds have been detected. But so far, they have yielded negative results, it said.
More ROVs are expected to be deployed with extra-depth capability. You can read more about the equipment being used in our visual guide.
The coastguard adds that the search area has been expanded to an area approximately twice the size of the US state of Connecticut, and a sub-surface search area of around 2.5 miles (4km) deep.
Planes are continuing to search from the air, in case Titan has returned to the ocean's surface but somehow lost communications.Planes are continuing to search from the air, in case Titan has returned to the ocean's surface but somehow lost communications.
A French vessel equipped with a deep-sea underwater robot should arrive in the area by Wednesday afternoon, local time.A French vessel equipped with a deep-sea underwater robot should arrive in the area by Wednesday afternoon, local time.
What might have happened to it?What might have happened to it?
Prof Alistair Greig, a submarine expert from University College London, says one of the big problems is that rescuers do not know whether to look on the surface or the seabed - it is very unlikely to be in between.Prof Alistair Greig, a submarine expert from University College London, says one of the big problems is that rescuers do not know whether to look on the surface or the seabed - it is very unlikely to be in between.
He's worked through a couple of scenarios. One is that it released a "drop weight" after an emergency, in order to bring it to the surface.He's worked through a couple of scenarios. One is that it released a "drop weight" after an emergency, in order to bring it to the surface.
"If there was a power failure and/or communication failure, this might have happened, and the submersible would then be bobbing about on the surface waiting to be found," he said."If there was a power failure and/or communication failure, this might have happened, and the submersible would then be bobbing about on the surface waiting to be found," he said.
Another possibility is that the hull was compromised resulting in a leak. "Then the prognosis is not good," he says.Another possibility is that the hull was compromised resulting in a leak. "Then the prognosis is not good," he says.
How deep is it and can they reach it?How deep is it and can they reach it?
The bow of the Titanic is still instantly recognisable even after so long underwaterThe bow of the Titanic is still instantly recognisable even after so long underwater
The wreck of the Titanic sits 3,800m (12,500ft) beneath the surface of the Atlantic. If the submersible has gone down to the seabed and can't get back up under its own power, the options are very limited.The wreck of the Titanic sits 3,800m (12,500ft) beneath the surface of the Atlantic. If the submersible has gone down to the seabed and can't get back up under its own power, the options are very limited.
We know there are very few vessels that can get that deep, and certainly not divers. The vehicles designed for navy submarine rescues can't get anywhere near as deep as would be needed.We know there are very few vessels that can get that deep, and certainly not divers. The vehicles designed for navy submarine rescues can't get anywhere near as deep as would be needed.
According to OceanGate, the company that owns it, Titan is one of only five manned submersibles in the world capable of reaching the depth required.According to OceanGate, the company that owns it, Titan is one of only five manned submersibles in the world capable of reaching the depth required.
The US Navy does have an ROV that can operate at that depth and used it to locate and recover a crashed fighter jet from a depth of 3,780m (12,400 feet) in the South China Sea last year.The US Navy does have an ROV that can operate at that depth and used it to locate and recover a crashed fighter jet from a depth of 3,780m (12,400 feet) in the South China Sea last year.
In that case, the US military used the ROV to attach rigging around the aircraft and connect it to a lifting hook that was lowered from a crane on the rescue vessel on the surface.In that case, the US military used the ROV to attach rigging around the aircraft and connect it to a lifting hook that was lowered from a crane on the rescue vessel on the surface.
Who's on board?Who's on board?
Suleman Dawood, 19, and father Shahzada Dawood, 48Suleman Dawood, 19, and father Shahzada Dawood, 48
The five people on board are:The five people on board are:
Hamish Harding, a 58-year-old British businessman and explorerHamish Harding, a 58-year-old British businessman and explorer
Shahzada Dawood, 48-also a British businessman -and his son, Suleman Dawood, 19Shahzada Dawood, 48-also a British businessman -and his son, Suleman Dawood, 19
Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a 77-year-old French explorer nicknamed "Mr Titanic"Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a 77-year-old French explorer nicknamed "Mr Titanic"
Stockton Rush, 61, is the chief executive of OceanGate, the firm behind the diveStockton Rush, 61, is the chief executive of OceanGate, the firm behind the dive
You can read more about them all here.You can read more about them all here.
How much does a dive cost?How much does a dive cost?
OceanGate Expeditions charges guests $250,000 (£195,270) for a place on its eight-day expedition to see the wreck of the Titanic.OceanGate Expeditions charges guests $250,000 (£195,270) for a place on its eight-day expedition to see the wreck of the Titanic.
The site is about 600km (370 miles) off the coast of Canada's Newfoundland, and lies in two parts, with the bow and the stern separated by about 800m (2,600ft). A huge debris field surrounds the broken vessel.The site is about 600km (370 miles) off the coast of Canada's Newfoundland, and lies in two parts, with the bow and the stern separated by about 800m (2,600ft). A huge debris field surrounds the broken vessel.
A full dive to the wreck, including the descent and ascent, reportedly takes eight hours and each trip is meant to include a scientific objective, including studying the wreck's decay.A full dive to the wreck, including the descent and ascent, reportedly takes eight hours and each trip is meant to include a scientific objective, including studying the wreck's decay.
The inaugural dive took place in 2021, according to the company's website.The inaugural dive took place in 2021, according to the company's website.
Is it really operated by a video games controller?Is it really operated by a video games controller?
Watch: In 2022, the BBC filmed inside the Titanic sub with the company's boss Stockton RushWatch: In 2022, the BBC filmed inside the Titanic sub with the company's boss Stockton Rush
Watch: In 2022, the BBC filmed inside the Titanic sub with the company's boss Stockton RushWatch: In 2022, the BBC filmed inside the Titanic sub with the company's boss Stockton Rush
The Titan is extremely small and narrow, measuring just 670 cm x 280 cm x 250 cm (22ft x 9.2ft x 8.3ft) and can carry a crew of just five people - a pilot and four passengers, who have to sit on the floor and have limited room to move around.The Titan is extremely small and narrow, measuring just 670 cm x 280 cm x 250 cm (22ft x 9.2ft x 8.3ft) and can carry a crew of just five people - a pilot and four passengers, who have to sit on the floor and have limited room to move around.
Aside from taking divers to the wreck of the Titanic, it's used for site survey and inspection, research and data collection, film and media production, and deep sea testing of hardware and software.Aside from taking divers to the wreck of the Titanic, it's used for site survey and inspection, research and data collection, film and media production, and deep sea testing of hardware and software.
According to the company, the Titan is "outfitted with state-of-the-art lighting and sonar navigation systems plus internally and externally mounted 4K video and photographic equipment".According to the company, the Titan is "outfitted with state-of-the-art lighting and sonar navigation systems plus internally and externally mounted 4K video and photographic equipment".
The BBC's US partner CBS sent one of its reporters on a voyage with the same company last year to see the wreck of the Titanic.The BBC's US partner CBS sent one of its reporters on a voyage with the same company last year to see the wreck of the Titanic.
Stockton Rush then gave him a tour of the submersible, where he revealed the vessel only has one button and is run using a video game controller.Stockton Rush then gave him a tour of the submersible, where he revealed the vessel only has one button and is run using a video game controller.
It is not unusual for off-the-shelf game controllers to be used in real-life vehicles. However, the Washington Post reports that the one seen in the CBS report appeared to be an old model.It is not unusual for off-the-shelf game controllers to be used in real-life vehicles. However, the Washington Post reports that the one seen in the CBS report appeared to be an old model.
When did it go missing?When did it go missing?
Watch: Who is involved in search effortsWatch: Who is involved in search efforts
Watch: Who is involved in search effortsWatch: Who is involved in search efforts
The Polar Prince first arrived near the Titanic wreck on Sunday morning and the Titan was launched at 08:00 local time - it was expected to resurface at 15:00. Contact was lost one hour and 45 minutes into its descent, at about 09:45.The Polar Prince first arrived near the Titanic wreck on Sunday morning and the Titan was launched at 08:00 local time - it was expected to resurface at 15:00. Contact was lost one hour and 45 minutes into its descent, at about 09:45.
The Coast Guard said they were notified of the problem at about 17:45 - eight hours later. The agency's command centre in Boston then began coordinating search efforts.The Coast Guard said they were notified of the problem at about 17:45 - eight hours later. The agency's command centre in Boston then began coordinating search efforts.
The Titanic wreck site is approximately 600km (370 miles) off the coast of Newfoundland.The Titanic wreck site is approximately 600km (370 miles) off the coast of Newfoundland.
What questions do you have about what's happened? Use the form below.What questions do you have about what's happened? Use the form below.
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Use this form to ask your question:Use this form to ask your question:
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Related TopicsRelated Topics
Titanic submersible disappearanceTitanic submersible disappearance
RMS TitanicRMS Titanic
Sinking of the TitanicSinking of the Titanic
United StatesUnited States
CanadaCanada