In a gripping turn of events, the entire world has been captivated by the vanishing act of the Titan submersible. What was meant to be an exhilarating ocean-floor tourist mission turned into a perilous ordeal in the vast North Atlantic waters.
Five adventurous individuals with deep pockets found themselves trapped in the minibus-sized vessel known as “Titan” after their journey to explore the legendary wreckage of the Titanic took an unexpected twist.
The ill-fated voyage began on Sunday when the vessel embarked on its descent to the famous wreckage. However, just an hour and 45 minutes into the expedition, the Titan lost contact with its mother ship, the Polar Prince, leaving the passengers stranded in the depths of the Atlantic.
The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions based in Everett, Washington, is a 22-foot (6.7-meter) long vessel. It had previously undertaken dives to 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) in 2018 and reached the site of the Titanic, located approximately 3,800 meters below the surface, in 2021. The plan for this year included 18 dives to explore the iconic shipwreck.
Unlike a submarine, a submersible like the Titan has limited power reserves and requires a support ship, in this case, the Polar Prince, for launch and recovery. While submarines can stay underwater for months, the Titan can only remain submerged for about 10 to 11 hours during each trip.
The cost of a seat on the Titan’s expedition is a staggering $250,000 (approximately Ksh 35 million). Onboard were British billionaire businessman Hamish Harding, French diver and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, and the CEO and founder of OceanGate, Stockton Rush.
With no GPS underwater, communication between the Titan and its mother ship relies on text messages, with a requirement for the submersible to check in every 15 minutes. The last communication between the vessel and the Polar Prince was received at 11:47 a.m. on Sunday.
As news of this impending tragedy spread globally, world governments and naval militaries swiftly mobilized their resources. The U.S., Canada, and France dispatched a vast array of aircraft, ships, and underwater equipment to search for the missing Titan submersible.
Disturbing reports emerged that the vessel only had a 96-hour supply of breathable air when it set off on Sunday. Now, according to multiple media outlets, the oxygen levels are dangerously low and rapidly depleting.
World leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and King Charles of the United Kingdom, expressed deep concern over the unfolding crisis. King Charles, whose charities benefited from the support of Shahzada Dawood, requested to be kept fully informed of the situation.
Amidst the global response, social media exploded with discussions, celebrity reactions, expert opinions, and an outpouring of creativity in the form of memes. The story quickly became one of the most searched topics on the internet in 2023.
Millions of people have been transfixed by their screens, unable to fathom the horrors faced by the trapped individuals in the depths of the ocean. The sheer darkness and isolation they endure have created an atmosphere reminiscent of a John Carpenter horror film.
Even in the face of tragedy, Black Twitter found moments of levity, playfully poking fun at the “billionaires” for their seemingly unwise escapade.
As reports circulate of mysterious banging sounds, one chilling certainty remains: the oxygen supply has either already been depleted or will soon run out. The multinational maritime search and rescue operation unfolding before our eyes is destined to become a historic event, reminiscent of the ill-fated Titanic, which serves as the haunting inspiration for this modern-day tragedy.
