Titanic shipwreck has gone missing somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.The U.S. Coast Guard told Global News Monday morning they had launched an operation to find the submersible.“We are coordinating search efforts for a submarine that lost communications yesterday while exploring the wreck of the Titanic,” said Lt.
Samantha Corcoan, with the U.S. Coast Guard 1st District.“We have two aircraft on scene. A P-8 Poseidon aircraft from Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax.
And a U.S. Coast Guard C-130 from Elizabeth City, N.C.”OceanGate Expeditions, a private company that deploys submarines for deep sea exploration, confirmed to several outlets that the missing vessel belongs to them and that it is “exploring and mobilizing all options to bring the crew back safely.”“Our entire focus is on the crewmembers in the submersible and their families,” said OceanGate, adding that it was “deeply thankful for the extensive assistance we have received from several government agencies and deep sea companies in our efforts to reestablish contact with the submersible.”The company did not clarify the number of people on the missing vessel or whether any of them were paying tourists.
The cost for a tourist to visit the wreck is approximately $250,000 and includes an eight-day missions to site. Money raised during those tours goes toward furthering Titanic research.According to The Guardian, OceanGate began taking small crews of “citizen scientists” to the Titanic shipwreck site in a five-person mini submarine two years ago.OceanGate Expeditions recently posted on its website and social media feeds that one of its expeditions was “underway”.