In a race against time, authorities are tirelessly scouring the depths of the Atlantic Ocean for the missing Titanic tourist submersible that mysteriously vanished during its mission to explore the iconic 111-year-old shipwreck.

While there are concerns that the vessel may have depleted its oxygen reserves, the search and rescue operation continues.

OceanGate Expeditions, the company responsible for operating the Titan sub, confirmed that their CEO, Stockton Rush, was on board the ill-fated vessel.

On Sunday evening, they informed the Coast Guard that the submersible only had 96 hours’ worth of oxygen, indicating that the timer would expire at approximately 7:08 a.m. on Thursday.

As US and Canadian officials tirelessly work to locate the missing Titan sub, the fate of the five passengers on the ill-fated voyage remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Situated 900 miles east of Cape Cod, the search operation is now in full swing.

On Thursday morning, the Coast Guard confirmed that a remote-operated vehicle (ROV) had successfully reached the sea floor and commenced the search for the missing sub.

Furthermore, preparations are underway for the French vessel L’Atalante to deploy its own ROV into the water.

Among the missing individuals is British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani tech and energy mogul Shahzada Dawood, his 19-year-old son Sulaiman, renowned Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and the vessel’s pilot, Stockton Rush.

Eight hours after losing contact with its mothership, the Polar Prince, OceanGate notified the US Coast Guard about the missing submersible.

The incident occurred less than two hours after the sub had submerged on Sunday afternoon.

Unlike conventional submarines, submersibles are dependent on their motherships to navigate the depths of the ocean.

Without the support of the Polar Prince, the Titan’s ability to complete its mission is severely compromised.

Experts are speculating on the potential outcomes faced by the passengers trapped inside the cramped, 22-foot-long submersible.

They argue that the panic and anxiety experienced by the occupants may have hastened the depletion of their 96-hour oxygen supply.

Mike Tipton, head of the extreme environments laboratory at the esteemed Portsmouth University in the UK, warned that humans can only survive for approximately three minutes without oxygen.

As the air supply dwindles, individuals may exhibit symptoms such as restlessness, headaches, confusion, shortness of breath, blue fingertips, and an increased heart rate. Eventually, loss of consciousness follows, leading to brain damage and, ultimately, death.

In addition to the oxygen depletion, Tipton highlighted the potential dangers of carbon dioxide poisoning inside the submersible.

If the filtration system had been compromised or power had run out, the passengers could have faced a lethal buildup of carbon dioxide.

RELATED: Leftist Group’s Attempt to Tie Elon Musk to Missing Titanic Sub Blows Up in Its Face

These grim scenarios represent three potential outcomes that experts predicted for the unfortunate tourist group.

The US Coast Guard acknowledged the possibility that the vessel might be submerged en route to the Titanic shipwreck, which rests 12,500 feet below the ocean’s surface. Additionally, they considered the chance that the Titan resurfaced but lacked the means to communicate its location.

Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick reassured reporters on Tuesday, stating, “If it’s on the surface, we’re fairly sure we’re going to be able to find it.”

Nevertheless, the duration for which the passengers could endure while adrift in the ocean remains uncertain.

G. Michael Harris, the leader of the Titanic expedition, had previously prepared the families of the missing passengers for the worst-case scenario.

He speculated that a breach in the Titan’s hull might have occurred, stating, “Our fear is that it imploded at around 3,200 meters,” or 10,500 feet.

As we continue to follow this developing story, our thoughts are with the families and friends of those missing in this tragic incident. T

he bravery and dedication of the rescue teams working tirelessly to locate the submersible serve as a reminder of the courage that unites us in times of crisis.

RELATED: Watch: Titanic Sub CEO’s DEI Rant Explains a Lot – Hiring ‘Old White Guys Not Inspirational’