A Canadian aircraft searching for the missing Titan submarine in the Atlantic Ocean detected intermittent “banging” noises from its last known location.
Titan submarine submerged on Sunday morning from its support vessel, the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince. Later, it lost contact with Polar Prince, the reports said.
The five people had gone for the expedition to get the glimpse of one of history’s most famous shipwrecks—majestic Titanic ship.
The crews searching for the Titan submersible heard banging sounds every 30 minutes on Tuesday, reported CNN.
The US Coast Guard has also confirmed that a Canadian P-3 aircraft "detected underwater noises in the search area".
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However, it is unclear however what could have caused the banging sounds near the search area.
What is Titan submersible?
Titan submersible that has went missing in the remote North Atlantic is the most lightweight and cost-efficient deep-sea submersible ever made, according to OceanGate Expeditions, the Everett, Wash.-based company that made it.
It is a carbon fiber and titanium vessel owned by OceanGate. It is designed to carry up to five people, including a pilot and four passengers.
What was the aim of Titan submersible this time?
The five people who are aboard the missing deep-sea submersible Titan went for the expedition to get the glimpse of one of history’s most famous shipwrecks—majestic Titanic ship.
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Who are on the Titan submarine?
CEO and founder of OceanGate Expeditions Stockton Rush, British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood are on the OceanGate Expeditions’ submersible, Titan.
How much oxygen capacity has Titan submersible got?
The Titan is equipped with a four-day emergency oxygen supply. It is estimated that the five missing passengers have just 40 hours of oxygen supply left inside the vessel.
Rescue efforts continue
The US Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard are involved in rescue efforts.
Three C-17 transport planes from the US military have been used to move commercial submersible and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St. John's, Newfoundland, to aid in the search, a spokesperson for US Air Mobility Command said, AP report stated. It mentioned the Canadian military said it provided a patrol aircraft and two surface ships, including one that specializes in dive medicine. It also dropped sonar buoys to listen for any sounds from the Titan, the report said.
What safety measures that Titan submersible has got?
AP report said the submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon. One system, it said is designed to work even if everyone aboard is unconscious.
