Submarine OceanGate Update

The vessel known as the Titan, which recently went missing in the vicinity of the Titanic wreck in the North Atlantic on Monday, June 19, is classified as a submersible rather than a submarine. This is because it doesn't operate autonomously but instead relies on a support platform for deployment and return.

According to OceanGate Expeditions, the tourism company that operates the Titan and is based in Everett, Washington, the missing vessel is a submersible designed to carry a crew of five individuals, including one pilot and four crew members. It is capable of diving to depths of up to 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) for various purposes such as site surveying, inspection, research and data collection, film and media production, as well as deep-sea hardware and software testing.

Constructed using titanium and carbon fiber, the Titan weighs approximately 21,000 pounds and has dimensions of 22 feet by 9.2 feet by 8.3 feet. It is equipped with life support systems that can sustain five individuals for up to 96 hours.