…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
A team of investigators has begun examining the main support ship, Polar Prince, of the Titan submersible following its return to the harbor after a tragic implosion incident.
The Polar Prince arrived at the port in St. John’s, Newfoundland, with flags at half-mast, as it mourned the loss of four passengers and the pilot of the Titan, which occurred near the wreckage of the Titanic.
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada announced its intention to investigate the incident, and TSB officials were seen boarding the Polar Prince upon its arrival.
Recovery Operation Concludes as Investigation Begins
As the recovery operation gradually winded down, Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) boats started returning to St. John’s harbor.
The CCG stated that the search and rescue operation had concluded prior to the ships’ return.
However, one CCG vessel remained at the scene to provide support and assistance to the ongoing recovery and salvage operations under the guidance of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Boston.
Fatalities and Key Figures Involved
Among the victims of the Titan submersible incident were British adventurer Hamish Harding, father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, Stockton Rush (the chief executive of the vessel’s responsible company), and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
Their tragic deaths sparked the investigation and heightened concerns about the safety of the submersible.
Investigation Details and Scope
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) deployed a team of investigators to St. John’s to gather information, conduct interviews, and assess the incident.
The TSB emphasized that its investigation would be conducted according to the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act, as well as international agreements.
It clarified that the investigation’s purpose is to advance transportation safety and that it will not determine civil or criminal liability.
Safety Concerns and Communication Issues
Prior to the incident, the BBC reported that emails from Stockton Rush revealed his dismissal of safety concerns regarding the Titan submersible.
Correspondence between Rush and deep-sea exploration specialist Rob McCallum highlighted Rush’s frustration with those who opposed innovation on the basis of safety arguments.
The Titan submersible lost contact with the tour operator during its descent to the Titanic wreckage, approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the two-hour journey.
The vessel was reported missing eight hours after communication was initially lost.
Subsequently, the US Coast Guard reported that the submersible’s oxygen supply was depleting and estimated that it would run out by Thursday.
Confirmation of Implosion and Coordinated Search Efforts
According to The Wall Street Journal, the US navy detected a sound consistent with an implosion in the search area for the submersible on Sunday.
However, the navy did not consider this data to be definitive, leading them to inform the Coast Guard, which continued its search efforts.
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