Years before sub went missing, letter warned of 'catastrophic' design

In 2018, a bunch of ocean engineers and technologists wrote to the corporate which owns Titan, the submersible now misplaced within the Atlantic Ocean, expressing considerations concerning the small vessel’s design and potential “catastrophic” outcomes.

Sent by the Marine Technology Society, the letter outlined the group’s “collectively expressed unanimous concern” concerning the event of Titan and OceanGate’s deliberate expedition to the Titanic wreckage.

Titan's operator, OceanGate Expeditions launches the vessel. — OceanGate Expeditions mentioned Titan begins every journey with 96 hours of life help. (OceanGate)

“Our apprehension is that the current experimental approach adopted by OceanGate could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry,” the letter mentioned.

The group raised considerations that OceanGate’s advertising materials marketed the Titan design will meet or exceed DNV-GL security requirements, “yet it does not appear that OceanGate has the intention of following DNV-GL class rules,” they continued.

“Your representation is, at minimum, misleading to the public and breaches an industry-wide professional code of conduct we all endeavour to uphold,” the group claimed.

The letter urged OceanGate to hold out additional prototype testing regardless of “the additional time and expense” the method would incur.

OceanGate has not responded to reporting on the letter.

Set up in 1963, the Marine Technology Society research ocean know-how, together with the operation and developments of Manned Underwater Vehicles.

The submersible, known as Titan — The submersible, often known as Titan, was carrying one pilot and 4 “mission specialists” when it misplaced contact about 100 minutes into its descent. (OceanGate)

US Coast Guard image showing search pattern for the Titan submersible. — US Coast Guard has detailed the search sample for Titan. (US Coast Guard)

Hopes are fading as the large search continues for the six-metre sub, which is working out of oxygen and misplaced in depths of virtually 4km beneath the ocean’s floor.

It was unclear when the banging was heard or for a way lengthy.

Diagram showing the extreme depths the Titanic wreckage is located. — Diagram displaying the intense depths the Titanic wreckage is situated. (9News)

A later replace urged extra sounds had been heard although it was not described as “banging”.

“Additional acoustic feedback was heard and will assist in vectoring surface assets and also indicating continued hope of survivors,” the replace learn.

If searchers find the submersible deep within the ocean, the mission to recuperate the craft and any onboard survivors will likely be advanced.

A Titanic dive on the Titan takes about 10 hours from begin to end, together with the 2 and a half hours it takes to succeed in the underside.

OceanGate Expeditions mentioned Titan begins every journey with 96 hours of life help.