A recent development has emerged in the ongoing search for what is being called the missing Titanic submarine. A Canadian aircraft participating in the search for the missing submarine has detected intriguing underwater noises within the designated search area. The discovery has injected renewed hope and prompted a shift in underwater operations to pinpoint the origin of these sounds.
The data gathered by the Canadian aircraft has been shared with U.S. Navy experts for further analysis, which will play a crucial role in shaping future search plans.
The US Coast Guard refrained from disclosing additional information regarding the nature of the detected underwater noises. However, as per an internal memo from the US government, which has been reviewed by multiple media sources, intermittent banging sounds were reported at 30-minute intervals on Tuesday.
The complexity of the search cannot be understated, as the area is replete with metal objects and challenging conditions. Naval experts have been called upon to help classify and provide a deeper understanding of the source of the detected noises.
Fortunately, some sources state that data from the field indicates likely signs of life at the site.
“If you made a continuous noise, that’s not going to get picked up, but doing it every 30 minutes, that suggests humans,” Chris Brown, an explorer and friend of one of the crew, told the BBC. “I’m sure they’re all conserving oxygen and energy, because it’s cold and dark down there.”
Time is of the essence as the tourist submarine with 5 people aboard had less than 40 hours of breathable air remaining when last reported. With maybe as little as a day’s worth of oxygen left on the vessel now.
Although the original estimate was based on the vessel’s initial 96 hours of oxygen, the search and rescue mission will not abruptly transition into a recovery operation when those hours are up. Various factors will determine the course of action beyond that point.
The passengers aboard the submarine—Shahzada Dawood, a Pakistani businessman; his son Suleman; Hamish Harding; French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate Expeditions—remain at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts. If the sub is located in time, the specifics of a deep-sea rescue operation will need to be meticulously evaluated based on the circumstances.
The last recorded communication from the sub occurred approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the dive on that fateful Sunday. Since then, the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards, along with the U.S. Navy and Air National Guard, have covered a combined area of approximately 7,600 square miles—larger than the state of Connecticut.
As the search for the missing Titanic submarine continues, the discovery of underwater noises offers a glimmer of hope. Every effort is being made to locate and rescue the passengers, showcasing the unwavering commitment and collaborative spirit of those involved in this extraordinary endeavor. The world watches with bated breath, longing for a positive outcome and a triumphant rescue.
