Missing Titanic Submarine

So that makes it right?

I even hate driving through the Blackwall Tunnel knowing I’m under the Thames.

Claustrophobic, so not for me. I’m uncomfortable sitting in planes packed to the gunnels.
People argue that humans have a natural need to push boundaries, climb mountains, go into space etc. and this is a good thing. “Because it’s there” doesn’t entice me to climb that mountain or want to travel into space. Everyday life is exciting enough!

If nothing can be done, I hope something catastrophic happened quickly and these poor souls (however much money they have) are not still suffering, it hardly bears thinking about.

Despite my view on this I do hope they are found. I wouldn't want anyone to suffer and running out of air is terrifying. I have had serious asthma attacks and was given oxygen at the hospital so I know how frightening it is not to be able to breathe.

AGAA4

So that makes it right?

People will always look for adventure.
Humankind would never achieve anything if no-one took risks.
Sometimes foolhardy, yes.

There will always be others who are courageous enough to put their own lives at risk to rescue others.

So do I and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone - and the more they panic, as anyone would, the worse it will be.

Germanshepherdsmum

I even hate driving through the Blackwall Tunnel knowing I’m under the Thames.

I've never been able to go under the Channel Tunnel.
The Mersey Tunnel and the Severn Tunnel are bad enough!

No, it doesn't make it right AGAA4 but it doesn't mean it's wrong either.

I think they have enough air for 4 days so won't give up hope yet.

I hope and pray that they will be able to eject the weights somehow and surface.

Any life lost at sea is one too many, whether they be explorers, hobbyists or seeking refuge.

I believe that locating them is only the beginning. Getting them back to the surface might be impossible. One of the difficulties is that they are a long way from land and too far for helicopters and the special equipment needed to help them. Ships are on the way but time is of the essence.

Maybe the Titanic should be left alone now.

I applaud pioneers and those who take risks for the benefit of mankind. I just wonder at those who take unnecessary risks for no real purpose. Also those brave souls who set out on dangerous journeys for a better life have to be respected.
This trip was for no other purpose then to tell friends that they had done it. I believe it's pitch black at those levels so they would find it difficult to see anything.

It is not a submarine, it is being called a submersible.

There was a submariner Officer on the news explaining the difference. From what I gathered submersibles go much deeper than submarines, also submarines have a standardised hatch which rescue submarines can lock onto in order to rescue those onboard, submersibles do not. (A bit like how space shuttle docks with the space station)

The only way these souls can be rescued is to locate and raise the submersible, and therein lies the problem.

Even if they can get down it will be so dark they could be looking for a needle in a haystack and I'm not sure they can go so deep. One man who had been down said risk of death was mentioned three times on the agreement he signed. Those on board knew the danger but it is a different matter when danger becomes reality.

Are there any crew members, if so they haven’t been mentioned, have they?

I think 2 are crew.

mokryna

Are there any crew members, if so they haven’t been mentioned, have they?

There are only five souls on board.

It is a very tiny submersible, no bigger than a small VW camper van, very basic in every way.

mokryna

Are there any crew members, if so they haven’t been mentioned, have they?

One of those on board is reported to be the CEO of the company which runs the submersible operations.

tickingbird

I believe that locating them is only the beginning. Getting them back to the surface might be impossible. One of the difficulties is that they are a long way from land and too far for helicopters and the special equipment needed to help them. Ships are on the way but time is of the essence.

Maybe the Titanic should be left alone now.

There was an expert on Sky News a few minutes ago saying exactly this. He said that even if they could locate them, the problem is getting them back to the surface because they are so far down that specialist vehicles and equipment are required, which will be hard to come by and relocate in time. He also said that there is a ‘ping’ that the submersible sends back every 15 minutes to indicate that all is well. That the ping stopped, indicates a sudden event. If, god forbid, there has been an implosion, they will be dead already. We can only hope and pray that they are still alive and they can get to them before it’s too late.

I agree that the Titanic is a grave and should never be used as a tourist attraction. 1500 souls who died horribly that dreadful night lie in or around this wreck and it should be left in peace. However, the people in this submersible are in terrible danger and whatever we think, no one deserves that. I for certain would never want to go in a submarine let alone a submersible, the channel tunnel is bad enough, 2 miles under the North Atlantic? Oh my goodness NO! I hope they can be recovered, but it doesn't look good.

Another thing I’ve learned today is that the craft can only be opened from crew on the outside as it’s bolted shut by 15 special bolts. Therefore, if they are floating on the surface, waiting to be found they will still run out of oxygen.

I just keep thinking about them and what they must be thinking and facing. Let’s hope for a miracle.

Doesn't look promising. I wonder what regulatory standards the submersible had to attain. Some people are adventurous, some are foolhardy - in the latter case I'm thinking of mountain walkers who fail to check the weather forecast and set out ill-equipped and then call on rescuers.

What Monica said.

Load of people deployed to look for them putting their lives in danger.

BigBertha1

What Monica said.

Load of people deployed to look for them putting their lives in danger.

That is their choice too, because they are those kind of people, brave, courageous and altruistic.

The passengers had to sign a waiver, so presumably thought if they got into difficulties they could not expect people to put their own lives in danger to save them.

Someone who's been on board the OceanGate submersible before is CBS journalist David Pogue, who recounted his own experience on board the sub after being invited aboard

He reported that among the paperwork shown to potential passengers was a waiver which said: "This experimental vessel has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body, and could result in physical injury, emotional trauma, or death."

I’m trying not to think about it. I can understand people climbing mountains but anything that involves going underground or under water terrifies me. I had a friend who died pot holing.