RMS Titanic Inc. Launches First Expedition To The Titanic Wreck Site In 14 Years

The first expedition to the Titanic wreckage in 14 years left Providence, Rhode Island, on July 12, 2024.

The mission, led by RMS Titanic Inc., the firm with the legal rights to salvage the Titanic, follows a devastating submersible tragedy last year that killed five people, including RMS Titanic’s director of underwater research, Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

The expedition is emotionally crucial for the crew, as stated by RMST Inc. president Jessica Sanders, who emphasized the mission’s commitment to carrying on Nargeolet’s legacy.

Sanders stated that this monumental initiative would allow them to document the Titanic in unprecedented detail and share discoveries from the wreck site with the public.

The expedition uses advanced imaging equipment and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to capture precise photos of the Titanic, the wreckage site, and the surrounding debris field.

The ship conducting the expedition, the Dino Chouest, is scheduled to take several days to reach the site and return around August 13.

According to Jon Hammond, a representative for RMST Inc., the mission’s goal is to conduct a detailed investigation of the Titanic’s current state and assess artifacts for future recovery.

The launch comes as the undersea exploration community still deals with the June 2023 Titan submersible accident.

The Titan, operated by OceanGate, suffered a deadly implosion en route to the Titanic, killing all five aboard, including OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush, influential Pakistani family members Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, and British adventurer Hamish Harding.

OceanGate has subsequently ceased operations, and a US Coast Guard inquiry into the event is still ongoing.

Katy Croff Bell, founder of the Ocean Discovery League, emphasized the significance of RMST Inc.’s expedition as a milestone in Titanic exploration.

In addition to documenting the wreck, the expedition will allow for comparisons with 2010 imagery, which may reveal new sections of the debris field, previously identified marine life and new deterioration zones that could provide access to the ship’s interior.

Evan Kovacs, an underwater cinematographer working on the endeavour, stated that the expedition will use the finest quality camera systems ever deployed at the site to reveal fresh information on the Titanic.

On July 13, the Dino Chouest travelled 281 nautical miles with a high speed of 12.5 knots, indicating a promising start to this historic mission.

Reference: PTI

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Source: Maritime Shipping News