Missing Titanic submarine with five onboard may have 50 hours left as US accused of hampering rescue – live
Follow live for updates about the missing OceanGate Expeditions submersible with Hamish Harding, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood, Sulaiman Dawood and Stockton Rush on board
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Ex-British Navy officer reveals 'concerning timescales' of missing Titanic sub
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A massive search and rescue operation is still under way to find the Titanic tourist submersible which has been missing for nearly two days in the Atlantic Ocean with five people aboard.
British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Sulaiman Dawood are on the OceanGate Expeditions’ submersible, Titan.
Stockton Rush, the founder of OceanGate Expeditions, is believed to be the fifth person aboard.
The watercraft submerged on Sunday (18 June) morning with its support vessel, the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince. About an hour and 45 minutes later, the Titan lost contact with Polar Prince, authorities said.
The Titan is equipped with a four-day emergency oxygen supply.
On Monday (19 June) afternoon, Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard told reporters that there was believed to be between 70 and the full 96 hours left at that point.
OceanGate offers eight-day missions to see the Titanic debris at a cost of $250,000 per person. It said it is “exploring and mobilising all options to bring the crew back safely.”
The US Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard are involved in rescue efforts.
WATCH: US Coast Guard give update on missing submersible Monday afternoon
Ariana Baio20 June 2023 16:00
Overnight, Coast Guard searched area ‘size of Connecticut'
Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard Northeast District said that overnight they flew “multiple aircrafts” over the area where the submersible went missing to look for signs of surfacing.
Mr Mauger said the search was “roughly about the size of Connecticut,” in an interview with Good Morning America on Tuesday (20 June).
“Our crews in the Coast Guard and partners across both the US government and within Canada and the private sector have been working around the clock to bring all capabilities that we have to bear on finding the submersible and locating the people,” Mr Mauger said.
Going forward, the Coast Guard plans to use more resources like vessels that can search underwater using sonar technology to expand their search.
Ariana Baio20 June 2023 15:45
Coast Guard to hold press conference on missing submersible
The US Coast Guard will hold a second press conference on Tuesday (20 June) at 1pm EST.
The press conference will include updates about the missing watercraft which is approximately 900 miles east of Cape Code, Massachusettes.
Partners of the US Coast Guard plan to join the press conference as well.
Ariana Baio20 June 2023 15:40
Hamish Harding among those missing on submersible
Hamish Harding, the chairman of Action Aviation, a private plane firm, is one of the five people aboard OceanGate Expeditions’ missing submersible in the Atlantic Ocean.
Mr Harding previously travelled on the Challenger Deep to the bottom of the ocean as well as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin trip into space.
On Saturday, Mr Harding announced on Facebook he was joining OceanGate Expeditions’ excursion to view the Titanic wreckage.
Jannicke Mikkelsen with Hamish Harding, who’s missing on Titanic submersible
(Jannicke Mikkelsen)
On Monday – as news of the missing submersible broke – Mr Harding’s stepson Brian Szasz confirmed that his stepfather was on board the vessel when it went missing.
Mr Harding has two children and is a seasoned explorer. He holds three Guinness World Records – including the longest duration at full ocean depth.
Ariana Baio20 June 2023 15:30
Titanic sub crew have ‘already used half their oxygen’ friend of missing Briton warns
A close friend of the British billionaire explorer lost at sea in the Titanic submarine has warned those on board will have already used over half their air supply.
Jannicke Mikkelsen told The Independent the vessel has less than 50 hours of oxygen left as of Tuesday lunchtime, so the clock is ticking to rescue the five stranded inside.
The 37-year-old said the wait for news of her mentor Hamish Harding has been “torturous” and her hope is fast diminishing as most scenarios are “bleak for survival at this point”.
Tara Cobham reports:
Ariana Baio20 June 2023 15:15
OceanGate adviser slams US government for holding up rescue efforts for missing Titanic sub due to paperwork
David Concannon, an attorney and explorer who had a lucky escape when he pulled out of the adventure at the last minute, told NewsNation on Monday night that critical equipment that could help recover the missing Titan vessel is currently thousands of miles away in the Guernsey Channel Islands.
Rachel Sharp reports:
Ariana Baio20 June 2023 15:00
Action Aviation confirms Hamish Harding aboard
Action Aviation confirmed on Tuesday (20 June) that Captain Hamish Harding is on the Titan submersible currently missing near the Titanic wreckage.
“Both the Harding Family and the team at Action Aviation are very grateful for all the kind messages of concern and support from our friends and colleagues. We are thankful for the continued efforts of the authorities and companies that have stepped in to aid in the rescue efforts,” Action Aviation said in a press release.
Mr Harding is a licensed Air Transport Pilot and a Guinness World Records holder.
Ariana Baio20 June 2023 14:45
10,000 square miles searched as of Tuesday
The US Coast Guard confirmed on Tuesday (20 June) that they had searched 10,000 square miles for the missing submersible, the Titan, in the North Atlantic Ocean.
On top of the various equipment that the US Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard have used to conduct searches, Canadian Aircraft P3 was brought in to carry out sonar searches.
The Titan’s surface ship, the research vessel Polar Prince, as well as the research vessel Deep Energy are also continuing surface searches.
Ariana Baio20 June 2023 14:38
How much oxygen is left on board?
A family friend of Hamish Harding, who has been in contact with his family, told The Independent that the search and rescue operation is working under the assumption the submarine set off at its planned time of 6.30am ET (11.30am GMT) on Sunday morning.
The vessel is equipped with enough air for five people for 96 hours.
The family friend said that this means the “maximum life support” would be until 6.30am ET (11.30am GMT) on Thursday.
Rachel Sharp20 June 2023 14:30
Downing Street ‘stands ready’ to assist rescue efforts
The UK “stands ready” to provide support and assistance in the hunt for the missing Titanic submarine, Downing Street has said.
Search and rescue capacity that can aid stricken subs is based at the naval base in the Clyde.
“We are in contact with the relevant authorities and are ready to provide assistance, but clearly it is an unusual rescue operation given the depths involved,” Downing Street said in a statement.
Rachel Sharp20 June 2023 14:15
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