The Coast Guard found additional debris, potential human remains and evidence on the north Atlantic Ocean seafloor last week from the OceanGate Titan submersible that imploded—killing all five passengers—while attempting to see the Titanic wreckage earlier this year, officials said Tuesday.
In this photo provided by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, U.S. Coast Guard marine ... [+]
In a follow-up to initial recovery operations, debris—along with “additional presumed human remains”—were recovered from the seafloor on October 4, and the remains were taken for medical analysis, the Coast Guard said in a press release Tuesday.
A photo released by the Coast Guard showed the “intact aft titanium endcap” of the submarine vessel, ABC News reported; the original sub was 23,000 pounds, traveled at a speed of about 3.5 mph and was 22 feet long.
The Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation conducted last week’s salvage mission, along with investigators from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada—both of which are also conducting safety investigations, according to the Coast Guard.
Last June, less than two hours after the Titan submersible began its descent to the site of the Titanic’s wreck, the vessel suddenly lost contact with its support ship on the surface, triggering a multi-day search and rescue effort. Officials at the time estimated the five passengers—including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush andBritish aviation mogul Hamish Harding—had 96 hours of oxygen remaining after their descent. Just four days after the vessel lost contact with the surface, the Coast Guard announced a debris field containing external parts of the Titan submersible had been discovered in an area near the wreck of the Titanic and said the passengers had “sadly been lost.” The accident prompted criticism of the submersible’s safety after news that it had not met industry standards circulated, along with criticism of Titanic tourism more broadly. OceanGate, the company behind the vessel and tourist trips, has since suspended all operations and explorations.
It’s still not clear whether the Coast Guard has recovered all the remains. In Tuesday’s statement, it said the Marine Board of Investigation will continue to analyze evidence and witness interviews before conducting a public hearing.