Titan Submersible is a watercraft designed to withstand extreme pressures underwater while being controlled by another team. It is usually supported by a nearby platform like Shore Team or a submarine.
The Titan Submersible is designed and built by Ocean Gate Inc., a submersible company based in Washington. Its headquarters are located in Everett, Washington.
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1. Capacity: The Titan submersible could carry up to five people.
2. Construction: It was made primarily of titanium and filament wound carbon fiber, which are strong and lightweight materials.
3. Dimensions and weight: The submersible was 22 feet long and weighed 10,432 kg, which is roughly equivalent to the weight of about six average-sized cars.
4. Depth capability: The Titan could descend to a depth of 4,000 meters or 13,123 feet. This falls short of the Titanic wreckage's depth, which lies at around 12,500 feet.
5. Control system: The submersible was piloted using a video game controller, presumably a familiar and intuitive interface for the operators.
6. Propulsion: It utilized four electric thrusters to maneuver underwater.
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7. Equipment: The Titan was equipped with a variety of tools for deep-sea exploration, including cameras, lights, and scanners. These instruments likely helped capture visuals, provide illumination, and gather data during dives.
8. Dive duration: A typical dive by the Titan submersible to the Titanic wreckage lasted approximately 10 to 11 hours.
Overall, the Titan appears to be a specialized submersible designed for scientific research and surveying at significant depths. Its construction materials, propulsion system, and range of equipment enabled exploration and data collection in the challenging deep-sea environment.
Difference Between a Submersible and a Submarine
Submersibles and submarines may seem similar, but they have distinct differences that prevent them from being used interchangeably.
Unlike submarines, submersibles lack full autonomy and lack the necessary power to independently launch into the ocean and return.
Instead, they rely on a support ship to facilitate their deployment and retrieval. Submersibles operate more like hot air balloons, relying on weights to descend into the depths.
What It Was Like Being Inside the Titan
Being inside the Titan is not a comfortable experience. Passengers have to sit close to each other with limited space and no room to stand. The craft has a metal sheet as the floor and basic amenities such as sandwiches, water, and a rudimentary toilet. During descent and ascent, the lights are switched off to conserve energy, and a fluorescent glow stick is used for visibility.
Overall, the Titan offers a unique and challenging experience for those exploring the depths of the ocean aboard this submersible.
Safety Mechanisms
In the safety department, the company claimed that the craft had mechanisms to facilitate its ascent to the surface in case of an emergency.
The submersible had seven backup systems to facilitate resurfacing, including the deployment of sandbags, the shedding of lead pipes, and an inflatable balloon.
Titan's safety has already faced criticism from experts. Early on, the submersible's battery problem and the feasibility of manual attachment to the lifting platform were pointed out.
Also, in 2018, David Lochridge, a former employee of Oceangate, warned about safety issues with the ship. Lochridge's sacking came after a whistleblower complained about security concerns.
According to court filings, he claimed the submersible's glass viewport was only built at a certified pressure of 1,300 meters, although a report on the BBC said Oceangate intended to take passengers to a depth of 4,000 meters.
Moreover, Titan has never been certified or classified by marine organizations.
In 2022, a reporter on Titan said people had to sign a contract before boarding, "an experimental submersible vessel that has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body that may cause physical injury, emotional trauma, or death."
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