The Titan submersible’s five crew members were all killed in a tragic implosion.
What exactly is Submersible?
- Submersibles are vessels designed for underwater travel and are frequently used for research, exploration, and tourism.
- They are white tubes approximately 6.7 metres long and 2.8 metres broad with a top speed of three knots or 5.5 kilometres (3.5 miles) per hour.
- Submersibles in the context of tourism allow passengers to experience the wonders of the underwater world and study marine ecosystems.
- Submersible tourism has grown in popularity among adventurous travellers due to the unique opportunity to explore the underwater world it provides.
Titanic Tourism and Submersible Tourism
- The RMS Titanic wreckage, discovered in 1985, has long been a famous tourist site.
- Since 2010, OceanGate Expeditions has been offering Titanic expeditions, transporting crews of “citizen scientists” and “crew members” to the site.
Titan Submersible Facts
- Titan submersible was built with titanium and filament-wound carbon fibre.
- It could reach depths of 4,000 metres (13,123 feet) with a length of 22 feet and a weight of 10,432 kg.
Equipment and functionality
- For mobility and manoeuvrability, the submersible used four electric thrusters.
- The Titan, which was outfitted with cameras, lights, and scanners, aided in deep-sea exploration and mapping.
- Because radio frequencies do not travel successfully in deep oceans, sound waves (sonar) were used to communicate.
Submersibles and Submarines: What’s the Difference?
- Submersibles, like as the Titan, are not totally autonomous and must be launched and recovered by support ships.
- They drop utilising weights and lack the ability to launch autonomously.
- Submarines, on the other hand, are self-propelled and can launch and return without the need for external assistance.
Cost and Depth
- The OceanGate Titanic expedition’s maximum depth is roughly 12,800 feet, with the wreck positioned around 12,500 feet.
- Touring the Titanic costs vary, with the OceanGate trip costing $250,000 per person.
Submersible Tourism Safety Considerations
- According to the Marine Technology Society (MTS), the submersible tourism business adheres to international safety standards and has been incident-free for 50 years.
- Submersible tour firms do in-depth risk assessments for each event, ensuring that clients are aware of the potential dangers.
- Before embarking on submersible expeditions, clients frequently undertake risk evaluations and sign waivers.
Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/submersible-titanic-submarine-missing-live-updates-titanic-wreck-live-updates-june-23-2023-101687488182430.html