Amid Ongoing Search for Missing Titanic Submersible: Former Passenger Reveals Expedition Insights
In light of the continued efforts to locate the missing Titanic submersible, a former passenger has come forward to share his firsthand experience aboard the OceanGate research vessel, shedding light on what truly unfolds 12,500 feet beneath the surface.
Aaron Newman, an investor in OceanGate who explored the wreckage situated 350 miles off the Canadian coast in 2021, emphasized that the expedition was far from a mere amusement park attraction. "This is not a Disney ride," he stressed.
Describing the journey as venturing into an entirely different world, Newman explained that passengers board a compact, securely fastened craft. "It's a tube that's comfortable, but not spacious," he revealed in an interview with Today on June 21.
During the initial stages, the cabin of the submersible becomes hot and stuffy, but as it delves deeper into the ocean, the water temperature outside plummets to around 29 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Newman highlighted that upon reaching the ocean floor, the water down there is colder than the standard freezing temperature, necessitating layered clothing, wool hats, and other measures to stay warm.
While Newman expressed a strong sense of safety during his own submersible ride, he acknowledged the inherent risks associated with such a challenging expedition. "This is not a Disney ride, right?" he emphasized. "We're going places that very few people have been, and this is inventing things."
Newman also mentioned that the missing passengers who embarked on the submersible, which disappeared on June 18, must have been aware of and accepted these risks prior to their mission. He described them as individuals who lived on the edge, passionate about their pursuits and capable of remaining calm and strategic in challenging situations. "These are people that are calm and thinking this through and doing what they can to stay alive. So this is a good set of people," he attested.
Since the 21-foot submersible went missing, search and rescue teams have been tirelessly working to locate the watercraft, estimated to have less than 40 hours of oxygen remaining in its cabin.
Among the individuals unaccounted for are British billionaire Hamish Harding and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush.
Newman expressed his hopes for a Hollywood-worthy ending to the situation, acknowledging the dedicated efforts of the Coast Guard, other involved parties, and the OceanGate crew. "It's promising but there's work to be done, and that's what the focus is," he concluded.
For further updates on the missing passengers.
0 Comments