Wreckage Of Titan Submersible Believed To Contain 'Presumed Human Remains' Says US Coast Guards
By Afouda Bamidele on July 1, 2023 at 2:00 PM EDT
The wreckage of the Titan submersible, which imploded on a voyage to the Titanic earlier this month, is believed to contain what could be human remains. This find by the US Coast Guards has sent shockwaves through the maritime community.
Titan Submersible Implosion: Presumed Human Remains Found In Wreckage
On Wednesday, identifiable sections of the ship, such as the nose and a sizable panel resembling the tail end, were successfully brought ashore. Among these recovered pieces, Coast Guard officials uncovered what they believe to be human remains. To determine their identity, the remains will be carefully transported to a US port for thorough testing and analysis.
Previously believed to have suffered a catastrophic implosion during its ill-fated journey to the Titanic, experts were taken aback by recent findings in the wreckage of the Titan submersible. Earlier in the day, a coroner had shared with DailyMail that the chances of recovering their remains appear bleak.
Authorities announced that the human remains were "carefully removed within the wreckage." Marine Board of Investigation Capt. Jason Neubauer expressed gratitude for the coordinated efforts, stating:
"I am grateful for the coordinated international and interagency support to recover and preserve this vital evidence at extreme offshore distances and depths. The evidence will provide investigators from several international jurisdictions with critical insights into the cause of this tragedy."
However, he acknowledged that significant work remains to fully comprehend the events leading to the submersible incident and prevent similar incidents.
OceanGate officially announced that the five individuals aboard their missing submersible, Titan, had tragically lost their lives. The occupants included CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood, Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
The company expressed profound sorrow poignantly, highlighting the explorers' unwavering spirit of adventure and their deep dedication to exploring and conserving the world's oceans.
They extended their condolences to the families, writing, "Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew."
Additionally, the message conveyed gratitude towards all those who had played a role in the search for the submersible. Continuing their statement, OceanGate noted:
"We appreciate their commitment to finding these five explorers and their days and nights of tireless work in support of our crew and their families. This is a sorrowful time for the entire explorer community and each of the family members of those lost at sea."
Mike Reiss Reflected On Past Underwater Voyage To Titanic Aboard Ill-Fated Submersible
In the past, the television comedy writer embarked on a remarkable underwater journey to the Titanic, utilizing the same submersible that recently undertook its final, fateful trip. Drawing from personal experiences aboard the exact vehicle on multiple occasions, Reiss openly shared his lack of optimism regarding the mission's outcome.
The "Queer Duck" creator offered insights into the formidable challenges he felt the team would face trying to locate the vessel that vanished in the North Atlantic on June 18. The film writer reflected on the situation:
"I know the logistics of it, and I know how vast the ocean is and how tiny this craft is. If it's down at the bottom, I don't know how anyone is going to be able to access it, much less bring it back up."
Having participated in three dives with OceanGate Expeditions – the company that owned the submarine –, Reiss disclosed a troubling recurring occurrence of lost communication during these underwater expeditions.
Recalling his experiences, he candidly admitted, "I got on the sub, and at the back of my mind was 'well, I may never get off this thing,' that's always with you." While recognizing the remarkable design of the machine, the 63-year-old emphasized the experimental nature of the technology employed.
Although he clarified that the vessel itself is not inherently flawed, he pointed out, "It's just that this is all new technology, and they're learning it as they go along." The producer also compared the early days of space exploration and aviation, highlighting the inevitability of making mistakes during discovery.
