Submersible on Titanic Tour Reported Missing off Canadian Coast
- U.S. Navy
Canada – A submersible with five people aboard has gone missing while on a tour of the wreckage of the Titanic off the Canadian coast, Newfoundland on Sunday, according to officials.
The Coast Guard said the 21-foot submersible went underwater Sunday morning and lost contact about one hour and 45 minutes later.
"The Coast Guard was notified Sunday afternoon that the vessel belonging to the deep sea exploring company OceanGate was overdue, and crews immediately launched search and rescue operations," Rear Adm. John Mauger, US Coast Guard 1st District commander, said during a press conference on Monday, as quoted by ABC News site.
The vessel was designed to have 96 hours of oxygen available, the search is taking place in remote waters about 13,000 feet deep.
Bangkai kapal RMS Titanic.
- U-Report
"It is a challenge to search for that remote area, but we are deploying all available assets to make sure that we can locate the craft and rescue the people on board," Mauger said.
In an evening update, the Coast Guard said surface searches will continue “throughout the evening” by both the ship the sub-launched from and by aircraft from the 106th Rescue Wing in Westhampton Beach, New York.
Two C-130 flights have already been completed and Canadian aircraft will continue their searches in the morning, the Coast Guard said.
OceanGate confirmed Monday that it lost contact with a submersible and five crew members were aboard.
“For some time, we have been unable to establish communications with one of our submersible exploration vehicles which is currently visiting the wreck site of the Titanic," the company said in a statement.
"Our entire focus is on the wellbeing of the crew and every step possible is being taken to bring the five crew members back safely."
"We are deeply grateful for the urgent and extensive assistance we are receiving from multiple government agencies and deep-sea companies as we seek to reestablish contact with the submersible," the company added.
