The French ship L’Atalante has just deployed its ROV.
Earlier, the US Coast Guard said the Titan submersible’s oxygen supply was expected to run out at 7:08 a.m. ET today.
As that time has now passed, we look forward to further updates from the Coast Guard for more information.
The Canadian vessel Horizon Arctic deployed a ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) which successfully reached the ocean floor and began its search for the submerged submersible.
In parallel, the French ship L’Atalante is currently preparing its ROV for deployment in the water.
Currently, preparations are underway on the French ship L’Atalante to deploy its remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) known as the Victor 6000 in the water.
At a recent press conference, marine expert Rob Larter of the British Antarctic Survey expressed his belief that the Victor 6000 represents the prime prospect for an underwater rescue.
Alistair Greig, professor of marine engineering at University College London, also noted that the ROV’s two manipulator arms provide the ability to untangle the Titan or attach a flotation device to help bring it to the surface.
The Victor 6000 is equipped with powerful headlights that allow visibility in murky depths. However, experts warn that precise knowledge of the Titan’s location is crucial, which is currently lacking.
Mr Larter warned that locating the submersible could take weeks of extensive surveying. Additionally, even if search parties locate the submersible, a rescue operation would take up valuable time.
Under normal circumstances, it would take an ROV like the Victor 6000 about two hours to reach the required depth and another two hours to ascend, as Mr Greig explained. The reported external bolts on the missing submersible could further complicate matters and take longer.
Mr Larter described the situation as desperate, expressing the unimaginable plight of individuals trapped in a submersible with dwindling oxygen supplies. An objective assessment of the current situation does not paint an optimistic picture.