Submarine on Expedition to Titanic Wreckage Goes Missing with 5 Aboard! Search & Rescue Operation Underway!

On Monday, efforts were underway to locate a submarine that disappeared in the North Atlantic while on a mission to investigate the remains of the Titanic. Lieutenant Jordan Hart of the U.S. Coast Guard in Boston confirmed to CBS News that a search and rescue operation was currently in progress following inquiries about the rescue activities near the coast of Newfoundland.

During a press briefing on Monday afternoon, Rear Admiral John Mauger verified that there were five individuals on board. A representative from the Coast Guard categorized them as an operator and four mission specialists, a term employed by the company to refer to its passengers.

According to a tweet from the Coast Guard, the submarine submerged on Sunday morning while being transported to the dive site by the Polar Prince, the ship responsible for ferrying the submersible and expedition team. Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive, the crew of the Polar Prince lost contact with the submarine.

OceanGate Expeditions, a company that deploys manned submersibles for deep sea expeditions, confirmed in a statement that its sub was the subject of the rescue operation, adding that it was “exploring and mobilizing all options to bring the crew back safely”.

The company has not disclosed whether any individuals on board are paying tourists; instead, they are regarded as passengers during their expeditions.

“Our sole focus is on the crewmembers in the submersible and their families,” stated OceanGate. They further expressed profound gratitude for the extensive assistance received from various government agencies and deep-sea companies in their efforts to reestablish contact with the submersible.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a C-130 crew has been deployed approximately 900 miles off Cape Cod to search for the submarine. The Rescue Coordination Center Halifax is also providing assistance with a P8 Poseidon aircraft, equipped with underwater detection capabilities. During the briefing, Rear Admiral Mauger mentioned that aircraft are conducting aerial searches, while vessels are scouring the water. In an effort to locate the missing sub, sonar buoys capable of listening up to a depth of 13,000 feet have been deployed in the water.

Rear Admiral Mauger stated that conducting a search in such a remote area poses a significant challenge. However, every possible resource is being deployed to ensure the location of the craft and the safe rescue of the individuals on board.

Mauger mentioned that the Coast Guard is collaborating with military and civilian partners to establish a rescue strategy in the event that the vessel is found submerged underwater.

Mauger expressed that the current priority is to locate the vessel, while acknowledging that if the vessel is found in the water, a rescue operation would need to be initiated. Coordination efforts are underway, involving engagement with various partners such as the U.S. Navy, Canadian armed forces, and private industry, to assess the potential availability of underwater rescue capabilities.

The submarine is reported to have a sustainment capability of 96 hours in the event of an onboard emergency.

“We are maximizing every moment within that timeframe to locate the vessel,” stated Mauger.

When questioned about the emergency oxygen supply, Mauger responded, “At this point, we estimate that there are approximately 70 to the full 96 hours available.”

On Sunday night, the Coast Guard issued an alert to mariners regarding an overdue “21 foot submarine” with a white hull, providing its last known location. The message requested “VESSELS IN THE VICINITY TO MAINTAIN A VIGILANT WATCH AND OFFER ASSISTANCE IF FEASIBLE.”

When approached by CBS News, the Canadian Coast Guard informed them that the rescue operation was under the jurisdiction of the Boston Regional Coordination Center. A map outlining the boundaries of coastal search and rescue agencies along the North American coast revealed that the area encompassing the Titanic wreck falls within the Boston center’s responsibility.

According to recent updates on OceanGate’s website and social media channels, the company has announced that an ongoing expedition to the RMS Titanic wreckage, situated approximately 400 miles southeast of the Newfoundland coast, is currently in progress.

The most recent mention of the Titanic expedition by the company on Twitter dates back to June 15th.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, British businessman Hamish Harding revealed that he was part of the OceanGate expedition team, which had set off from St. Johns, Newfoundland the previous day. Harding mentioned that “the submarine team comprised experienced explorers, some of whom had completed more than 30 dives to the RMS Titanic since the 1980s”. He also noted that, “considering weather conditions, this mission was expected to be the sole manned visit to the Titanic in 2023”. The team intended to commence dive operations around 4 a.m. on Sunday.

Mark Butler, managing director of Harding’s company, Action Aviation, conveyed to The Associated Press, “There is still ample time to arrange a rescue mission. The necessary survival equipment is present on board. We are all hopeful and keeping him in our prayers for a safe return.”

Richard Garriott de Cayeux, president of The Explorers Club, expressed in a letter addressed to the club’s members, “During the Global Exploration Summit last week, I could sense Hamish’s immense enthusiasm for this expedition. He was eager to engage in research activities at the site.” Harding played a key role in establishing the club’s board of trustees. Founded in 1904, the club defines itself as “a professional, multidisciplinary society committed to promoting field research, scientific exploration, and the preservation of resources.”

Harding, an experienced adventure tourist, had previously embarked on a space journey aboard a Blue Origin rocket in the previous year.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Dawood family, associated with the Dawood Group, a diverse global conglomerate headquartered in Pakistan, confirmed the participation of “Our son Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman” in the expedition.

“We deeply appreciate the care and support expressed by our colleagues and friends. We kindly request everyone to keep them in their thoughts for their well-being, while respecting the family’s privacy during this period,” the statement conveyed.

As per the Seti Institute based in California, “Shahzada Dawood holds the position of Vice Chairman at Dawood Hercules Corporation, an integral part of the Dawood Group, which has remained a family enterprise for more than a century.”

Diver and explorer Rory Golden, who is part of the Titanic expedition, shared his experience on Facebook. In a Monday afternoon post, he reassured, “I am safe. Our entire team on board is united in supporting our friends.”

He further explained, “We are currently involved in a critical Search and Rescue operation, which is being carried out by prominent agencies. This is our current priority.”

Golden expressed his admiration, stating, “The overwhelming global response and numerous offers of assistance truly demonstrate the inherent kindness within people during such challenging times.”

OceanGate’s submersible, The Titan, holds the distinction of being the sole five-person submarine globally with the ability to reach the depth of the Titanic wreckage, resting approximately 2.4 miles beneath the ocean’s surface. CBS News “Sunday Morning” correspondent David Pogue, accompanied by a brave group of adventurous tourists, embarked on a voyage aboard the vessel to witness the renowned shipwreck last year.

While settling into the vessel, Pogue remarked on its compact interior space, comparing it to that of a minivan. He couldn’t overlook the numerous improvised elements of the sub, constructed from off-the-shelf components. Notably, the sub’s navigation was operated using a video game controller.