Missing Titanic Submarine

Boris Johnson’s second article in the DM is about the heroism of those who lost their lives on Titan. The full article is available online at 5pm.

Heroism? Those who tried to rescue them were the heroes.

Germanshepherdsmum

Heroism? Those who tried to rescue them were the heroes.

Absolutely, GSM. And thankfully no-one else was injured (or worse) as part of those rescue efforts.

Agreed.

25Avalon

Boris Johnson’s second article in the DM is about the heroism of those who lost their lives on Titan. The full article is available online at 5pm.

Just goes to show his cavalier attitude towards people’s safety…

These projects are vanity projects for rich men. As far as I can see the submersible in this tragedy had only one tiny porthole so none of those on board would see very much, nor was it doing any kind of research.

There are plenty of unmanned vehicles that are better equipped both to carry out research and film and record the Titanic.

The only reason for any of those on board, the young man excepted, to be there is so that they could say they had done it - and could tell other people. At least people climbing Mount Everest have to do the climbing themselves, to think of another activity with a high death rate.

MayBee70

25Avalon

Boris Johnson’s second article in the DM is about the heroism of those who lost their lives on Titan. The full article is available online at 5pm.

Just goes to show his cavalier attitude towards people’s safety…

That says so much about Mr Johnson. He’s so like Flashman

I agree, the heroes are those why joined the rescue attempt. I do feel though that adventurers add to our lives, to science and to our understanding. I’m thinking of the Polar explorers. Fascinating and in many ways reckless but brave

According to DM the company took out an emergency loan during Covid to strengthen the hull of the ship which had failed tests.

Just read Boris’s article and I don’t agree with him. This was a tourist trip, without adequate planning, that went wrong. The only boundaries it pushed were those of stupidity. Would you climb Everest in your T-shirt? Sorry Boris you are wrong about this and also if you think I am a Leftie.

Leave Titanic alone now. It’s ghoulish, let the dead lie where they have been over 100 years. It should never have gone ahead for that reason never mind the fact it was so unsafe bolted in a tin can from the outside, it just wasn’t thought out.
I know people will always push boundaries, that’s natural. What is the point of disturbing a grave site, I can’t understand anyone not checking out the futility of it due to the safety aspects alone. It must never happen again.

Germanshepherdsmum

Heroism? Those who tried to rescue them were the heroes

What heroism was displayed in the rescue attempt? People were on ships operating remote control vehicles. Nobody risked their life in any way..

I gather people shouldn't walk onto the Arizona, resting place of 1102 dead? Gallipoli? Pyramids? Cambridge Military Cemetery? Dacau?

People are generally respectful.

It's sad these people died. Not their fault, imo.

Totally their fault Norah and the fathers fault for taking his young sons life away Totally irresponsible and unnecessary

BlueBelle

Totally their fault Norah and the fathers fault for taking his young sons life away Totally irresponsible and unnecessary

How callous.

Everyone that’s ever died in a plane crash or any other accident involving a mechanical breakdown is responsible for their fate then?

If you die in a car crash because you’re driving a car that had failed it’s MOT and the cause of the accident was mechanical failure then, yes, it would be your fault.

BlueBelle

Totally their fault Norah and the fathers fault for taking his young sons life away Totally irresponsible and unnecessary

Callous.
I’m with tickingbird on this.
They didn’t plan to die and the father certainly didn’t intend to kill his son.

BlueBelle

Totally their fault Norah and the fathers fault for taking his young sons life away Totally irresponsible and unnecessary

Callous and unfeeling post.

Everyone on the craft knew it was risky. I understand the danger of dying was mentioned three times in the contract they signed.

These people, excepting the young man, knew exactly what the dangers were, but of course believed that it wouldn't happen to them.

I wouldn't use the word 'fault' but perhaps replace it with 'responsibility'. Concerns about the craft they went underwater in were generally known, they must have known them and, yes, the father is responsible for the death of his son, for even suggesting they take such a trip together, let alone the emotional pressure of having it happen so close to Father's Day. yes, both irresponsible and unnecessary.

This was the fourth time that the Titan submersible had visited the wreckage of The Titanic.

Explorers, adventurers and pioneers have shaped the modern world.

It was dreadful accident and I hold the deceased and their loved ones in my prayers.

I agree. It was irresponsible to take a 19 year old on that trip knowing the danger was very real.
You can't equate this with a plane journey as you don't have to sign to say you are aware there is a risk of death.

Why didn’t the 19 yearold’s mother put a stop to him going with his Father ? Surely, she would have voiced her concerns?

At 19 years old, just finished his first year at University he made the decision to join his father.

I’m with GrannyGravy- we need explorers, adventurers and pioneers, they have shaped the world.
It was a dreadful accident, one predicted by some and will lead to greater caution and risk assessment.
I feel particularly sorry for the mother of the 19year old, now a widow who also lost her son. crazyH I read the 19 year old wasn’t enthusiastic but went to please his father. I sincerely hope no one adds to that mother’s pain by criticising her for ‘not putting a stop to him going with his father

No not their fault the equipment wasn’t up to the job but they would have all been made aware of how dangerous the 2•5 mile journey to the bottom of the Atlantic could be and were prepared to take the risk. According to a previous passenger they would have signed a waiver that mentioned risk of death three times. Very sad how things turned out for them, conditions on board must have been pretty awful on the way down in such a tiny vessel. I feel for those they’ve left behind.

We need explorers, adventurers and pioneers, they have shaped the world

Yes I agree, but we do not need thrill seeking voyeurs prepared to pay enormous amounts of money, which merely funds more research into building more of these richmen's toys and paying their owner. Nothing of any intellectual or scientific value comes from stunts like this.

Remote operated vehicles can collect the data needed for research far better than manned vehicles. These dives are done from vanity, hubris and one man upmanship.

An enormous amount of money has been spent by governments and rescue organisations running the search and non-rescue operation mounted after this vehicle went missing. Families have been torn apart, children have lost their fathers, one woman has lost her husband and son. For what? For an expensive thrill.