Missing Titanic Submarine

I cannot imagine a worse situation that this - and why people would voluntarily take part. Hope seems to be fading, like the oxygen in the vessel, and how the people are faring inside doesn't bear thinking about. Why is it felt necessary to visit the Titanic? There are plenty of documentaries; the liner has been found, photographed, and plundered - and it is a grave for so many . I do feel they should be left in peace.

NanaDana

I do wish that we saw less of these rather pointless "this money could have been spent on something so much worthier" comments. You could apply that to virtually any situation, including : "This 100 quid I'm about to spend on groceries in Sainsbury's would be far better spent if I donated it to the R.N.L.I." Probably true, but the two cases have no interdependence. We all make personal choices as to what we spend our money on, so why should anyone else sit in judgement on that, regardless of the scale of expenditure?

I do wish that we saw less of these rather pointless "this money could have been spent on something so much worthier" comments.

It is a pointless argument. Apart from the fact that it's possible all or any of the wealthy passengers on board spend or donate money to charitable or worthwhile causes, the money required to fund public services, hospitals, etc, is not - or should not be - dependent on the whim of the wealthy.

As a society we either agree to set up a system of public-funded services where everyone contributes - and if the wealthy are paying their fair share of taxes, they are contributing more than most - or we don't and have an every-man-for-himself society... in which case one could possibly level criticism at those who indulge themselves whilst the impoverished are going without. But that's not the kind of society we have, we have opted for the former. Therefore the individuals in the submersible are no different from 'John down the road' who spends his income and his time sky-diving in Perranporth or Swansea.

If we want more hospitals and other public services, we do it via government - by choosing one that is committed to the ideology of State-funded services. Then both 'John' and the poor devils in the submersible will be contributing to a more equitable society, and we can stop lambasting them for spending their money on activities we don't consider 'worthwhile'.

My criticism is for those that were responsible for the design and commissioning of a piece of marine technology that - if reports are to be believed - appears to be very "Heath-Robinson"... a"Heath Robinson contraption" is perhaps most commonly used in relation to temporary fixes using ingenuity and whatever is to hand, often string and tape, or unlikely cannibalisations. (wikipedia).

... and my criticism is for the following reasons...

OceanGate, the company behind the submersible that went missing while visiting the wreckage of the Titanic, was once the subject of a massive lawsuit from an employee who alleged he was fired because he had raised safety concerns over how deep the vessel could descend.

The former OceanGate employee, David Lochridge, refused to greenlight manned tests of the submersible over safety concerns. The Washington-based company later sued Lochridge for disclosing confidential information.

www.foxbusiness.com/technology/oceangate-company-behind-missing-titanic-tourist-sub-once-subject-lawsuit-safety-complaints

Germanshepherdsmum

There’s no point in being able to open it from the inside when you’re so far beneath the surface. In fact I’d guess it’s safer not to be able to - someone panicking would be able to kill the rest, like opening a plane door.

I'd like the option though. Not that I'd be in there in the first place

Hi there. I know they give masses to charity the ppl onboard. I know this definitely. Hope they find them

Thank you Monica. I understand your point.
We are all equally valuable as human beings, and all vulnerable.
However the scale of response to these two different tragedies has been very different - both media response and practical response, in terms of the rescue efforts. If those who knew about the Med boat's dangerous situation before it capsized had been as pro-active as those searching for the sub, then disaster might have been prevented.

GBNEWS are breaking that the tapping has been recognised as an SOS in morse code. How distressing.

NanaDana

I do wish that we saw less of these rather pointless "this money could have been spent on something so much worthier" comments. You could apply that to virtually any situation, including : "This 100 quid I'm about to spend on groceries in Sainsbury's would be far better spent if I donated it to the R.N.L.I." Probably true, but the two cases have no interdependence. We all make personal choices as to what we spend our money on, so why should anyone else sit in judgement on that, regardless of the scale of expenditure?

Indeed.

There’s no point in being able to open it from the inside when you’re so far beneath the surface. In fact I’d guess it’s safer not to be able to - someone panicking would be able to kill the rest, like opening a plane door.

My stomach does strange things when I think of those people trapped in that metal tube. I'm highly claustrophobic and I think if it were me (no reason why it should be) I would have to ask fellow passengers to kill me as I'd be hyperventilating so much I'd drain all the oxygen.
Why anyone would put themselves in that situation for that obscene about of money is beyond me. More money than sense!
They were bolted into the receptacle with no way of opening it themselves, that alone is madness.
I fear no positive outcome sadly

Jaxjacky

I can sensé thé Hollywood directors and screen writers ghoulishly rubbing their hands together.

Only if we get a happy ending, I hope you mean, Jaxjacky.

Our world would be much poorer without adventurers, imho. Even more so without the people who devote their lives, paid or unpaid, to rescuing and helping others. I’d apply this as much to our everyday emergency services as to those searching for the Titan. We all owe a lot to the people who run towards disasters instead of running away.

It does sound as though there were many safety concerns around these trips. Even though it’d take a near miracle for the people aboard to be located and rescued in time, for now there’s still hope.

NanaDana

I do wish that we saw less of these rather pointless "this money could have been spent on something so much worthier" comments. You could apply that to virtually any situation, including : "This 100 quid I'm about to spend on groceries in Sainsbury's would be far better spent if I donated it to the R.N.L.I." Probably true, but the two cases have no interdependence. We all make personal choices as to what we spend our money on, so why should anyone else sit in judgement on that, regardless of the scale of expenditure?

It's like someone saying to their child or grandchild "I've bought you a cow and a goat for Christmas for a family in Africa" when, in fact, that parent or grandparent is perfectly able to buy the cow, the goat for a poor family and a present for their child or grandchild.

Regardless of all the ifs and buts, apart from the five people in the vessel facing a horrible fate, we need to remember that there are their families and friends who must be going through absolute torture at the moment knowing what their loved ones must be experiencing. No money in the world can make up for that.

I do wish that we saw less of these rather pointless "this money could have been spent on something so much worthier" comments. You could apply that to virtually any situation, including : "This 100 quid I'm about to spend on groceries in Sainsbury's would be far better spent if I donated it to the R.N.L.I." Probably true, but the two cases have no interdependence. We all make personal choices as to what we spend our money on, so why should anyone else sit in judgement on that, regardless of the scale of expenditure?

BlueBelle

The money spent by them all in that ‘thing’ could have built a hospital but they chose to be confined in a tiny tiny claustrophobic space to go to the bottom of the ocean to gawp at a wreck that went down over a century ago why ….….just because
How much is the attempted rescue costing in time money and could even be lives ?
Whilst I feel sorrow when anyone loses a life or comes close to losing a life and I hope (although I very much doubt) they will be rescued I really can’t feel as much sorrow or horror as I did when those little lads were trapped in a cave or the miners underground for days, why ? because they didn’t choose.
And no I m not hard hearted just being truthful

One would presume they have paid the right amount of tax they owe so they would already have been contributing to the public funds, public services.
I hope their staff are paid well too and not exploited.
Theu0y may well have made large charitable donations too.

What they do with their own earned money after tax is up to them as long as it's not against the law.

I do hope they can be rescued, they must be frightened and their relatives distraught.

MOnica. I’m sure you’re right. Those submariners made a very sensible decision to opt out of news from home for the personal and operational reasons you describe. It was tough on sailors and families, I think. There was a 14 year age gap between my brother and myself. I remember being still at school and in my mid teens, I suppose, going to stay with my sister in law doing the summer school holidays when my brother was at sea. We had a great relationship and I hope my company helped alleviate some of the loneliness and anxiety while he was away. I think that was the purpose but for me as a teenager it was just a nice little holiday by the seaside!

It gives you an inkling of what those who are watching and waiting for news are going through. It must be agonising.

hollysteers

I agrée with your post and was thinking the same earlier. I’ve been inside a pyramid (wished I hadn’t as was claustrophobic and almost had a panic attack). I’m also going to Pompeii this year. Having said that, this trip was/is fraught with danger and not something I would even consider.

All that matters, at the moment, is that the people in this vessel my still be alive, so it is worth trying to rescue them Well said M0nica this is truly all that matters.

Totally agree M0nica 👏👏👏

Why is everything measured in hospitals. If every penny not spent on basic subsistence was spent on hospitals the world would be awash with hospitals, most without patients. But that is not what people do. If we forego a terrifying ride on something at a Fun Fair, we do not put it in a charity box, we buy an ice cream instead.

There is no evidence to suggest that if tbese people had not gone undersea to the Titanic that the money would otherwise be spent on worthy causes. It could have otherwise been spent on alcohol, exploiting women and children, or torturing monkeys, which would you prefer?

All that matters, at the moment, is that the people in this vessel my still be alive, so it is worth trying to rescue them.

What’s the difference between tramping around the valley of the kings, gazing at mummies in Cairo Museum, Pompeii and shells of bodies, even visiting old country churchyards etc etc and viewing the Titanic? In many cases, only a time difference.

My idea of hell to be at the bottom of the ocean, but I and I’m sure many of you criticising the unfortunate souls in the Titan have done the above.

Much as I abhor the mawkish interest in the Titanic I know that there will always be adventurers, and humanity is shown at its best in the people who come together prepared to search for them.

Even if they can locate it, I don’t know if they will be able to bring it to the surface before the air supply runs out.

Grannynannywanny

Their poor families. This morning’s news of banging noises must only have added to their torment with so little time left.

I thought the banging noises was a better sign as, if it is from the sub. it would possibly make it easier to locate.

I do hope these poor people are rescued, however foolhardy we might think they have been.

I’m with BlueBelle to some extent. They seem to have more money than sense. I don’t find embarking on dangerous missions brave or admirable. I think it’s selfish, and inconsiderate to their families and the rescue services,

That said, I hope they are rescued safe and well.

Their poor families. This morning’s news of banging noises must only have added to their torment with so little time left.