The odds of rescuing the five individuals on board the ill-fated OceanGate submarine are rapidly diminishing, according to insiders in the deep-sea vehicle industry.
The treacherous combination of extreme depth, communication challenges, and a narrowing time frame leaves little hope for a successful rescue operation.
The OceanGate submarine, which ventured into the depths of the ocean, approximately 12,500 feet below sea level, vanished while en route to explore the wreckage of the Titanic.
Despite extensive search efforts, no trace of the vessel has been found since Sunday.
On Tuesday, the Coast Guard revealed that the OceanGate has roughly 40 hours of oxygen remaining. However, concerns have been raised about the possibility of an instantaneous catastrophic explosion, an apprehension shared by some experts.
“The math is not great,” cautioned an experienced specialist in autonomous underwater vehicles, popularly known as drones, in an interview with Fox News Digital.
Reports indicate that only a handful of manned vehicles worldwide possess the capability to dive to such extraordinary depths and potentially facilitate a rescue mission.
Unfortunately, none of these vehicles are currently in close proximity to offer immediate assistance.
Experts concede that an unmanned operation could offer a glimmer of hope, albeit a limited one.
“While a drone could locate the vehicle, rescuing individuals would be impossible.
However, there may be a way to establish a connection by attaching a line, thereby potentially recovering the vehicle,” explained submersibles engineer Steve Somlyody, who is based in Florida.
“The math is not great.”
The absence of communication or any audible signals since Sunday raises significant concerns, Somlyody noted.
He expressed optimism that the U.S. Navy has deployed a submarine to conduct deep dives and listen for any sounds emanating from the OceanGate.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon confirmed its involvement in the search operations, primarily through aerial assets, including three C-130s assigned to survey the designated areas.
“In addition to that, the Navy has been coordinating with the Coast Guard and is expeditiously providing personnel, including subject matter experts and assets,” stated Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.
The ocean depths to which the OceanGate has descended render traditional submarines unsuitable for rescue attempts.
Consequently, if a Navy submarine is employed, its role would be limited to acoustic monitoring of the vehicle.
Experts agree that drones offer the most practical means of reaching the OceanGate and potentially rescuing its passengers.
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“These are remarkable and highly advanced devices,” emphasized an expert in autonomous underwater systems.
“Nevertheless, integrating them with other vehicles requires substantial time and software development.
The notion of simply deploying one of these drones into the ocean for a rescue mission seems unrealistic to me.”
He further asserted that embarking on deep dives to the Titanic wreck for recreational purposes inherently carries great risks.
“These are pursuits typically undertaken by wealthy thrill-seekers. Everyone is entitled to pursue their interests, but I personally wouldn’t engage in such endeavors,” he remarked.
“These systems lack formal approval from any regulatory agency, and I’m sure the participants had to acknowledge the potential risks involved.”
As time ticks away, the prospects of locating and rescuing the OceanGate passengers grow increasingly dim.
The deep-sea exploration industry grapples with the urgent need to balance exhilarating adventures with the paramount importance of safety and security.
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