The passengers of the submersible that vanished this week in the North Atlantic had to spend hours in a perilous descent to the ocean floor onboard a claustrophobic vessel with a solitary aperture.
Inside the Titan
Last summer, Mr. Mike Reiss, a producer and writer for The Simpsons, stepped aboard the Titan, as reported by The Straits Times. He claimed that the waiver that passengers had to sign mentioned death on the first page thrice.
The 10-hour trip, which may cost up to US$250,000 (S$336,000), had composed but enthusiastic passengers, he said.
Sandwiches and water were supplied on board, but he recalled hearing that many travelers skipped meals due to excitement and that the ship's primitive toilet had never been used. The journey has been referred to as a "thrilling and singular travel experience" on the website of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that manages the vessel.
The Titan is tight inside. The cylinder was described as being "about the size of a minivan."
Passengers can sit on the flat floor with their backs to the curved walls of the ship, which has an interior that resembles a metal tube, according to images from OceanGate. There is a small amount of space to walk about and stand up, some overhead lighting, but no chairs.
Read also: Passengers, Crew of Missing Titanic Sub 'Titan' Identified
Submerged in Darkness
Nevertheless, Mr. Reiss characterized the trip to the Titanic as "very comfortable" and claimed he dozed off during the silent, dimly lighted descent. Mr. Reiss had previously traveled with OceanGate Expeditions to view Hudson Canyon off the coast of New York City.
According to Mr. Reiss, underwater currents caused the submarine to deviate from its intended path as it approached the Titanic. He said that the compass was "acting very weird" and that the team only had a rough idea of their location-500 yards (457 meters) away from where they should have been.
The Titan, which could only stay on the ocean floor for three hours, nevertheless arrived near the wreck with just 20 minutes to spare for what Mr. Reiss called a hasty "photo op."
Through the porthole, which he compared to the size of a washing machine glass, he could see the submerged ship.
He referred to the wreck as "the biggest thing in the world" but added that because of the darkness, it was impossible to tell exactly where it was.
Titan was first launched in 2018, and it has since been used to explore a number of underwater sites, including the Titanic shipwreck. In 2021, OceanGate began offering commercial expeditions to the Titanic shipwreck, with Titan as the primary submersible used for these expeditions.
Titan is a significant technological achievement, and it has opened up new possibilities for underwater exploration. It is a valuable tool for scientists, explorers, and tourists alike, and it is sure to continue to be used for many years to come.
Related article: OceanGate Titan: Missing Titanic Sub Has Less Than 40 Hours of Oxygen Left, Authorities Say
