Rescue operations are underway in the North Atlantic to locate a tourist submersible that went missing near the Titanic wreck. The US Coast Guard has reported hearing “noises” in the vicinity of the submersible’s last known location on Sunday. A Canadian P-3 plane equipped with sonar buoys detected the sounds, and now experts from the US Navy are analyzing the data. Despite relocating the underwater search efforts to investigate the source of the noises, the remote operated vehicles (ROVs) deployed thus far have not yielded any positive results, according to the Coast Guard.
The US Coast Guard tweeted in the early hours of Wednesday that the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with US Navy experts for further analysis, which will be taken into account for future search plans. An internal US government memo, as reported by US media outlets, revealed that “banging” sounds were heard at intervals of 30 minutes on Tuesday. Additional sonar was deployed four hours later, and the noises were still detectable.
There has been no comment from the Department of Homeland Security, which the BBC reached out to for a response. Both CNN and Rolling Stone have covered the potential development. However, it should be noted that the memo does not specify the exact time on Tuesday when the banging sounds were heard.
The submersible was carrying a total of five individuals when contact was lost during its dive towards the Titanic wreck. The incident occurred an hour and 45 minutes into the descent, when the vessel was more than halfway towards its target. Among the passengers were British businessman Hamish Harding (58), British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood (48), and his son Suleman (18). French explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet (77) and Stockton Rush (61), the CEO of OceanGate, complete the group.
Authorities involved in the search estimate that the submersible has less than 30 hours’ worth of oxygen remaining, meaning supplies are expected to be depleted by approximately 10:00 GMT (06:00 EDT) on Thursday. The individuals aboard the vessel are trapped inside, as the submersible is sealed shut with external bolts, rendering them unable to escape even if it resurfaces.
Chris Brown, an explorer and a friend of Mr. Harding, expressed his belief that the reported banging sounds were likely produced by the individuals inside the submersible. He stated that it was “just the sort of thing I would have expected Hamish to come up with” and suggested that intermittent noise every 30 minutes indicated human involvement. Brown also acknowledged the challenging conditions the occupants must be enduring, including the cold and darkness at such depths.
Following the detection of the sounds, the Explorers Club, a scientific society of which two of the individuals on board are members, shared an optimistic message. The president of the organization stated that there is cause for hope based on field data, suggesting that signs of life have likely been detected at the site.
Efforts to locate and rescue the missing submersible are ongoing as search teams analyze the information gathered from the P-3 aircraft and continue to deploy ROVs. The situation remains urgent, given the limited oxygen supply remaining for the trapped individuals. The world anxiously awaits further updates on the progress of the search and the well-being of those involved.