Noises are recorded during search for missing submarine with tourists on Titanic expedition
According to a US government document seen by the local press, tapping sounds were recorded at 30-minute intervals by a probe from a Canadian search plane. The US Coast Guard confirmed the record and reported that so far they have not found anything in the area where the noise was detected.
Tourist submarine that takes people to see the Titanic and on the right the spokesperson for the US Coast Guard - Photo Reproduction/OceanGate Expeditions
Arrived on the fourth day of search operations by the submarine that carried tourists interested in visiting the Titanic and that disappeared in the Atlantic Ocean. Rescue teams are still engaged in the search for the submersible called Titan, belonging to British billionaire Hamish Harding, who was on board along with four other people.
Coast Guard
A United States Coast Guard disclosed in the early hours of Wednesday (21) that underwater noises similar to knocks were detected at intervals of 30 minutes during the search for the missing submarine during an expedition to the Titanic. The same sounds were recorded again approximately four hours after the first recording. On Tuesday (20), a Canadian aircraft involved in search operations, together with the United States and Canada, captured these sounds through its probe, as reported in a US government document to which the country's press had access.
Shortly after the noises were reported, the US Coast Guard immediately redirected its operations to the area where the sounds were recorded. However, as of the last update of this advisory, no discovery has been made.
"Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noise in the search area. As a result, operations have been reallocated in an attempt to explore the source of the noise. These ROV searches have yielded negative results, but continue," said the Coast Guard and added "Beyond Additionally, data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our US Navy experts for further analysis, which will be considered in future search plans."
US government
On Tuesday night (20), CNN International and the magazine "Rolling Stone" announced that they had obtained access to a US government memo which describes the mysterious sounds. According to Rolling Stone, the document states that these sounds are beats. The report also mentions that similar sounds were recorded approximately four hours later when search teams deployed additional sonar devices to detect objects on the ocean floor.
"The Joint Rescue Coordination Center is working to find a remotely operated underwater vehicle through partner organizations to possibly help," the document states, according to the magazine.
According to Rolling Stone, a previous report revealed that a manned Navy ship had a limited diving capacity of 2,000 feet (609 meters). However, the magazine indicates, based on that document, that if the submarine is in a depth similar to that of the wreckage of the Titanic, which exceeds 3,800 meters, it will be necessary to use an underwater drone or a remotely controlled vessel to carry out the rescue.
CNN International added that a Canadian aircraft spotted a white rectangular object in the water. A ship was directed to help search the area where the sounds were recorded.
Submarine
O Titan submersible it has dimensions of 6.5 meters long by 3 meters wide, weighing more than 10 tons. Its structure is built with carbon fiber and titanium. to guide you, a joystick is used which resembles a video game controller. It is capable of reaching a speed of 3 knots (equivalent to 5.5 km/h) and has four thrusters to propel itself. The Titan has the capacity to carry up to five people and does not have autonomy, unlike a large submarine. For this reason, it was necessary to carry it for a distance of 643 km on the surface of the sea to the region where the descent would take place.
Expedition
The company Ocean Gate Expeditions, specialized in maritime tourism, is promoting an expedition with the purpose of exploring the wreckage of the Titanic, the iconic ship that sank in 1912 in the Atlantic Ocean. The location of the wreckage is approximately 3,800 meters deep, about 650 km off the coast of Canada. To participate in this exciting adventure, each passenger must spend US$ 250,000 (equivalent to R$ 1.19 million).
Undated image released by OceanGate Expeditions, responsible for the submersible Titan - Photo Reproduction/OceanGate Expeditions/PA
According to the authorities, the tourist submarine started the expedition on Friday (16), departing from Newsfoundland, Canada and began its immersion towards the wreck of the Titanic on Sunday morning (18). The US Coast Guard said in a tweet that the submarine lost contact with the surface vessel, the Polar Prince, approximately an hour and 45 minutes after beginning its descent towards the wreckage of the Titanic.
The submersible had a pilot and four passengers. The individuals were confirmed to be:
Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate and pilot of the sub.
Shahzada Dawood, Pakistani businessman.
Suleman Dawood, son of Shahzada.
Hamish Harding, British billionaire and explorer.
Paul-Henry Nargeolet, former commander of the French Navy and leading expert on the sinking of the Titanic.
Searches
On Monday (19), the US Coast Guard announced that it began the search for a submarine with crew on board. The operation is being carried out in collaboration with the US and Canadian Air Forces. In addition, France also announced that it will assist in the operation. Rear Admiral John Maugerda, of the US Coast Guard, declared in an interview with CNN International that the teams will have to explore even greater depths than those currently probed.
On Tuesday (20), the Coast Guard reported that the missing tourist submarine only had breathable air until 6 am on Thursday (22).
