WASHINGTON: The U.S. Coast Guard has released an eerie recording believed to capture the 2023 Titan submersible implosion.
The audio, made public on Tuesday, was recorded by a NOAA passive acoustic system 900 miles from the implosion site.
Officials say the recording may provide valuable evidence in the ongoing investigation into the tragic deep-sea disaster.
The Titan submersible imploded on June 18, 2023, during a dive to explore the Titanic wreck.
All five passengers aboard the vessel were confirmed dead after search teams located the wreckage.
Passengers Identified
The victims included OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who founded the company and designed the Titan submersible.
Businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood, were also among those who perished.
Hamish Harding, a British billionaire, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French Titanic expert, were also onboard.
Investigators believe the implosion happened suddenly due to extreme underwater pressure at great depths.
DNA analysis later confirmed the remains found at the site belonged to the five victims.
Ongoing Investigation
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation is leading the probe into OceanGate and the Titan disaster.
The National Transportation Safety Board also contributed to the inquiry into the deep-sea vessel’s failure.
For two weeks in September, officials conducted an extensive review with testimony from experts and witnesses.
Testimonies exposed major concerns about OceanGate’s operations, safety protocols, and the vessel’s construction.
The company had charged each passenger around $250,000 for the once-in-a-lifetime deep-sea experience.
Lost Contact
The Titan lost communication with its mother ship on the morning of June 18, 2023.
Rescue teams launched a frantic search after the submersible failed to resurface at its scheduled time.
A massive international operation was conducted in remote waters southeast of Newfoundland.
Days later, authorities confirmed the vessel had suffered a catastrophic implosion.
This implosion resulted in the immediate destruction of the submersible due to the extreme deep-sea pressure.
Final Discoveries
Debris from the Titan was located on the seafloor near the Titanic wreck site.
Investigators found “presumed human remains” among the scattered wreckage of the destroyed vessel.
Forensic testing matched the remains to the five victims, confirming their identities.
The Coast Guard’s newly released audio recording is expected to offer further insight into the disaster.
Officials continue to analyze the evidence, seeking answers about the cause of the tragic implosion.
