The search team for the missing submersible Titan in the Atlantic Ocean is said to be hearing loud noises under the sea every 30 minutes, raising hopes for rescue efforts.
“The rescue coordination centre in Halifax deployed a P-8 Poseidon aircraft with underwater surveillance capabilities,” Canada’s Department of Homeland Security said, according to an update obtained by Rolling Stone on June 20.
The P-8 dropped sonobuoys and recorded signals near the location of the missing Titan. The P-8 detected loud noises in the area every 30 minutes. Four hours later, they dropped more sonobuoys and still heard the noise. It is unclear where the noise originated. The update also did not specify when the noise was detected or how long it lasted.
Image simulating how planes and ships are searching for the missing Titan submersible. Photo: US Coast Guard
CNN reported similar information, based on an internal memo from the US government . An update late on June 20 said that additional sounds had been heard, but did not describe them as “banging.” “The sounds will assist in orienting surface equipment, indicating hope for survivors,” the update said.
A Canadian P3 aircraft also spotted the white rectangular object. However, a ship scheduled to investigate the object was diverted to assist in investigating the "loud noise".
Canadian officials have not commented. OceanGate Expedition, the company that owns and operates the Titan submersible, said it had no information to share at this time.
In an email sent on the afternoon of June 20, Richard Garriot de Cayeux, president of the US-based organization promoting scientific exploration and field research, The Explorers Club, also mentioned these sounds. "It is understood that at around 2:00 a.m. in the search area, hydroacoustic equipment detected a sound that could be a 'knocking sound,' indicating that the crew may still be alive and sending signals," according to the email.
Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard announced early on June 21 that a Canadian P-3 aircraft "detected underwater sounds in the search area" but efforts to deploy a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to investigate later "were fruitless."
"In addition, data from the P-3 has been shared with US Navy experts for further analysis to inform future search plans," according to the US Coast Guard.
It is not clear whether the US Coast Guard is referring to the event mentioned in the updates.
Oceanographer David Gallo “felt hopeful” after reports of loud noises during the search, urging rescuers to get resources to the site quickly to investigate. “You can’t wait to prove there’s something there. You have to assume there’s something there and get everything going because time is running out,” he said.
Gallo is a senior advisor on strategic initiatives for RMS Titanic, a Georgia-based company dedicated to preserving the Titanic's legacy. He is friends with French expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet, one of the five people on the missing Titan.
A submersible model that takes tourists to the Titanic wreck. Photo: OceanGate Expeditions
The submersible Titan went missing on June 18 while carrying five people on a tour of the Titanic wreck at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, at a depth of nearly 4,000 meters, about 600 kilometers from Newfoundland, Canada. US and Canadian authorities are deploying a series of planes, ships and equipment to search and rescue Titan.
Rescuers are racing against time, as Titan only has enough oxygen for 96 hours, starting from 6am on June 18. At a press conference at 1pm on June 20 (0am on June 21 Hanoi time), Jamie Frederick, a US Coast Guard official, estimated that the remaining oxygen supply is only enough for 40 hours.
The French Oceanographic Institute is sending the Atalante, equipped with a robot that can operate deep under the sea, to the Atlantic to assist, the French Maritime Ministry announced. The ship is expected to arrive at around 18:00 GMT on June 21 (1:00 on June 22 Hanoi time).
The location of the Titanic wreck in the Atlantic Ocean. Graphic: Guardian
Nhu Tam (According to CNN, news.com.au )
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