Current:Home > MyThe first Titanic voyage in 14 years is happening in the wake of submersible tragedy. Hopes are high -DollarDynamic
The first Titanic voyage in 14 years is happening in the wake of submersible tragedy. Hopes are high
View
Date:2025-04-16 17:16:43
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The company that owns the salvage rights to the Titanic is undertaking its first expedition to the ship’s wreckage in years, and those involved in the mission said they have both heavy hearts and lofty goals for a trip happening a year after a submersible disaster involving another firm killed five people.
RMS Titanic Inc., a Georgia-based firm, holds the legal rights to salvage the wreck of the ship, which sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912. The company’s first expedition to the site since 2010 launched Friday from Providence, Rhode Island.
The voyage arrives as the worldwide community of undersea explorers is still reeling from the deadly implosion of an experimental submersible en route to the Titanic in June 2023. The Titan submersible disaster killed all five people on board, including Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who was director of underwater research for RMS Titanic.
This summer’s mission to the Titanic “means even more with the passing” of Nargeolet, known as “Mr. Titanic” by many, RMST Inc. president Jessica Sanders said.
The expedition will use modern imaging technology and remotely operated vehicles to capture detailed images of the Titanic, the wreckage site and the debris field, RMST Inc. representatives said.
“This monumental undertaking will allow us to document the Titanic in unprecedented detail and share new discoveries from the wreck site with the public, continuing the extraordinary work and passion of PH,” Sanders said.
The ship headed to the site, the Dino Chouest, will take several days to reach the site and is slated to return around Aug. 13, said Jon Hammond, a spokesperson for RMST Inc.
The work will allow the company to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current condition of the Titanic wreckage site and a detailed assessment of artifacts that can be safely targeted for future recovery, RMST Inc. representatives said.
Nargeolet made more than 35 dives to the Titanic in his lifetime. The implosion also killed Titan operator Stockton Rush; two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood; and British adventurer Hamish Harding.
OceanGate, a company co-founded by Rush that owned the submersible, suspended operations a year ago. The U.S. Coast Guard convened a high-level investigation into what happened, but it has taken longer than expected and it’s unclear when the investigation will conclude.
Undersea explorers are waiting to learn the results of the investigation and RMST Inc.'s trip to the Titanic site is an important milestone in the site’s exploration, said Katy Croff Bell, founder of the Ocean Discovery League.
“The Coast Guard investigation is still ongoing and they have not released their results yet, so the final chapter in this episode has yet to come out,” Bell said. “One thing that has come out is there is perhaps more interest.”
This month’s journey to the Titanic also will allow comparison to 2010 imaging, RMST Inc. representatives said. The mission also may result in discovery of new areas of the debris field, previously unknown marine life and new areas of deterioration that could provide unobstructed access to the interior of the ship, the company stated on its website.
The vessel making the trip is equipped with two remotely operated vehicles that will be used to capture the first end-to-end mapping image of the wreck field and debris site, RMST Inc. said.
The expedition will include “the highest resolution camera systems ever deployed at the site in an effort to bring new insights about the ship to the community,” said Evan Kovacs, an underwater cinematographer working on the mission.
veryGood! (6953)
Related
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Who Is Olympian Raven Saunders: All About the Masked Shot Put Star
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone runs away with 400-meter hurdles gold, sets world record
- 'Chef Curry' finally finds his shot and ignites USA basketball in slim victory over Serbia
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Water woes linger in New Orleans after wayward balloon causes power glitch, pressure drop
- Fire destroys landmark paper company factory in southwestern Ohio
- Love Is the Big Winner in Paris: All the Athletes Who Got Engaged During the 2024 Olympics
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- St. Vincent channels something primal playing live music: ‘It’s kind of an exorcism for me’
Ranking
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat abruptly retires after disqualification at Olympics
- Why Zoë Kravitz & Channing Tatum's On-Set Relationship Surprised Their Blink Twice Costar Levon Hawke
- Andrew Young returns to south Georgia city where he first became pastor for exhibit on his life
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- 2024 Olympics: Swimmers Are Fighting Off Bacteria From Seine River by Drinking Coca-Cola
- Flood damage outpaces some repairs in hard-hit Vermont town
- Missouri voters pass constitutional amendment requiring increased Kansas City police funding
Recommendation
'Most Whopper
Who Is Olympian Raven Saunders: All About the Masked Shot Put Star
California lawmaker switches party, criticizes Democratic leadership
West Virginia Supreme Court affirms decision to remove GOP county commissioners from office
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword, Get Moving! (Freestyle)
Explorer’s family could have difficulty winning their lawsuit against Titan sub owner, experts say
A powerful quake hits off Japan’s coast, causing minor injuries but prompting new concerns