The Missing Titanic Submersible Story In 20 Points

22 JUNE, 2023

Ayaan Paul Chowdhury

Photo: OceanGate

Rescuers are still searching for the submersible named Titan that went missing during a dive to the Titanic shipwreck. Here's all that you need to know so far...

missing sub rescue

The mission to the Titanic is part of OceanGate's efforts to develop crewed submersibles capable of reaching depths of 4,000 metres and 6,000 metres.

the oceangate mission

Photo: OceanGate

Photo: OceanGate

The Titan was part of an expedition operated by OceanGate Expeditions, which organizes trips to the remains of the Titanic.

the titan sub

Photo: OceanGate

The Titan submerged on Sunday, 12 noon GMT and lost contact with its support vessel about an hour and 45 minutes later, roughly 700km south of St John's, Newfoundland, Canada.

when and where?

Photo: Getty Images

The Titanic wreck is considered a "time capsule" and attracts interest from individuals fascinated by its construction, immigration history, millionaires and the era's celebrities.

opulent attraction

Photo: Getty Images

The submersible can accommodate five people and was fully booked for its mission, with tourists paying $250,000 per trip. Here's who's onboard...

who's inside?

Photo: Getty Images

British billionaire Hamish Harding (58) is one of the passengers on board. He is an aviator, space tourist, and chairman of Dubai-based Action Aviation.

hamish harding

Photo: Reuters

Shahzada Dawood (48), a Pakistani businessman, and his son Sulaiman (19) are on board. Dawood is the vice-chairman of Engro Corporation and a board member of Prince's Trust International.

shahzada &  Sulaiman dawood

Photo: Getty Images

Paul-Henri Nargeolet (77) is a former French navy commander known as "Mr Titanic". He has been studying the Titanic for 35 years and has participated in several submarine expeditions to the wreckage.

paul-henri nargolet

Photo: OceanGate

Stockton Rush (61) is the chief executive and founder of OceanGate, the company behind the tourist mission to the Titanic. 

stockton rush

Photo: OceanGate

Canadian aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area, but the source of the sounds remains unknown.

banging noises

Photo: OceanGate

The search area covered so far is twice the size of the US state of Connecticut in waters 4km deep.

wide search net

Photo: iStock

Though the ocean’s surface has been explored for thousands of years, only about 20% of the seafloor has been mapped, making it even more elusive than outer space.

mission impossible

Photo: OceanGate

Experts hope to find the Titan on the ocean's surface, as it is equipped with safety systems to rise during emergencies.

emergency safety system

Photo: OceanGate

The 21-foot submersible is reportedly controlled with a rudimentary Logitech gaming controller, with no room for its passengers to stretch out and limited rations of food and water.

increasing safety concerns

Photo: OceanGate

Industry leaders had raised a number of safety concerns about the Titan submersible before its disappearance with OceanGate Stockton reported to have "broken some rules" during its build.

broken rules & criticisms

Photo: OceanGate

If the Titan is stuck on the ocean floor, occupants could run out of oxygen and face extreme hypothermia.

dwindling oxygen

Photo: OceanGate

The air supply in the vessel could run out by Thursday, and a breach of the hull at depth would be fatal due to high pressure.

worst case scenario

Photo: OceanGate

Theoretically, the estimated 96 hour oxygen supply is supposed to run out by 12 noon GMT (5:30 PM IST) today.

against the clock

Photo: OceanGate

The US coast guard is leading the search for the missing submersible, increasing their efforts and hoping for the best.

against the clock