Titan rescue challenges are high while is oxygen running low

Researchers say it is easier to travel to space than going to the bottom of the ocean, which makes this rescue mission all the more challenging.  

There are many challenges with deep sea exploration including tough visibility, and arctic temperatures.  

Doctor Nina Mahmoudian, a professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University spoke to how difficult deep-sea exploration can be.  

“You are dealing with pressure, and the deeper you go, you need to be able to withstand the pressure and this goes for the hull itself, and also any electronics that is it with it,” said Dr. Mahmoudian. 

As of now, officials say they have heard banging noises detected by sonar and Dr. Mahmoudian tells ABC57 that even if they do locate the vessel, it will be difficult to bring it to the surface. 

“There is a ROV remote operated vehicle that can go as deep as 6000 meters, so there is a vessel that can go deep but this vehicle needs to be able to also grab and carry out,” said Dr. Mahmoudian.  

The Director of Public Safety of St. Joseph Michigan, Steve Neubecker, who assists in water rescues on Lake Michigan addressed the difficulty of the rescue mission.  

“They are looking for a beacon, a signal given off, the luxury we have in Michigan is we have a water rescue about 50 by 50 area a very small area and to try to relate to what's happening here with the submarine, I couldn't imagine searching an area the size of Connecticut,” said Neubecker. 

Although Lake Michigan isn't dealing with as deep water as the current rescue mission off the coast of Cape Cod, they do have their own safety equipment to deal with search and rescue missions.  

Tyler Harper, a public safety officer explains the importance of the drone in finding lost personnel.  

“We can change it to look up down left right all over the place, it's not full 360, it's got infrared, it's got a heat signature camera on it that we can all change on this controller,” said Neubecker.  

As of now, the mission has about a little less than 20 hours of breathable oxygen left. 

According to Ocean Gate, the company that sponsored the mission to explore the Titanic charges 250,000 dollars.