Missing Titanic submersible was using Elon Musk's satellites

The missing Titanic submersible was using Elon Musk's satellites, it has emerged.

A huge search mission has been launched with US and Canadian rescuers, who are now racing against time to locate the missing submersible after it vanished on Sunday (18 June) about 435 miles (700km) south of Newfoundland, Canada.

The tiny submersible craft, named the Titan, carries five people on board and is operated by OceanGate Expeditions who has confirmed it uses Elon Musk's Starlink wifi for communications at sea.

Bob Daemmrich / Alamy Stock Photo

Speaking at a press conference on Monday 19 June, Rear Admiral John Mauger said the US Coast Guard is working 'as hard as possible' to locate the submarine.

"A frantic marine search is underway for a missing tourist submersible which has not been seen since it launched to take five people to the Titanic wreckage yesterday morning," he said, adding the Coast Guard was notified of its disappearance on the afternoon of Sunday 18 June.

"We're working as hard as possible bringing all assets to bear to try and find the submersible.

"We began immediately to mobilize assets to search both the surface of the water, search from the air, and to detect any vessels under the water as well. We've had a comprehensive search to find these people."

OceanGate

There are five seats on the submersible, including a pilot and a ‘content expert’ as well as three paying customers.

One of those paying customers is British billionaire Hamish Harding, according to his stepson. A UK-based father and son were also onboard missing Titanic submersible, their family have confirmed.

Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19, were on the missing vessel and their loved ones have since released a statement on the matter.

The family of Shahzada Dawood said: "Our son Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman, had embarked on a journey to visit the remnants of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean.

Twitter/@OceanGateExped

"As of now, contact has been lost with their submersible craft and there is limited information available.

"We are very grateful for the concern being shown by our colleagues and friends and would like to request everyone to pray for their safety while granting the family privacy at this time."

OceanGate has confirmed the missing submersible was using Musk's Starlink satellites for its communications at sea.

The company tweeted earlier this month (1 June): "Despite being in the middle of the North Atlantic, we have the internet connection we need to make our #Titanic dive operations a success - thank you@Starlink!"