Five more rescue ships join Titanic submersible search as time runs out

More emergency assistance is being dispatched to locate the missing Titan submersible, believed to have mere hours of oxygen supply remaining for its crew. Communication was lost with the submersible on Sunday, approximately 435 miles south of St John’s, Newfoundland, while on a journey to the Titanic shipwreck off the coast of Canada.

By Wednesday afternoon, it was estimated that only about 20 hours of oxygen were left in the vessel, indicating a likely depletion by Thursday morning. Richard Garriott de Cayeux, president of The Explorers Club, has confirmed the dispatch of support to aid the search for the vessel, which has British billionaire adventurer and founding member of the Board of Trustees of The Explorers Club, Hamish Harding, onboard.

Garriott de Cayeux, however, criticised the delay in getting the necessary help accepted. He penned a statement on Twitter, stating: “Thanks for all your support and hard work on the rescue operations for our friends aboard Titan. I believe we have importantly improved the odds of a positive outcome through our advice, volunteering of services and equipment, and even the political pressure we continue to bring to bear. All has been needed. All continues to be needed.”

He further elaborated on the ongoing efforts, “Magellan is en route (should have been accepted sooner), we are still trying to get side scan sonar (should have been accepted sooner), and still working on ships to transport equipment and other details. We continue to come together for our friends, their families and the ideals of The Explorers Club, and the cause of safe scientific exploration of extreme environments. There is good cause for hope and we are making it more hopeful.”

The remotely operated vehicle