A Titanic expert has said he is ‘very hopeful’ the missing tourist submarine will be found after vanishing in a ‘remote area’ of the Atlantic Ocean.
The vessel disappeared while travelling to the wreckage of the Titanic, with OceanGate – the company behind the tourist trips – confirming five crew members on board were missing.
It is feared the submersible may be hard to find as the wreckage site itself sits on the ocean floor at a depth of around 12,500 feet (3,800 meters) meaning that it is difficult to access, even with sophisticated submersibles.
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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.
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"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."
But while rescuers are concerned the submarine may be difficult to locate, Titanic expert Larry Daley said he feels ‘very hopeful’.
Speaking to Canada’s NTV Evening News, Daley acknowledged the dangers behind deep submersible diving.
However, he explained how technology has improved in recent years, leaving him ‘positive’ about the outcome.
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Daley said: "Deep submersible diving is very dangerous, but it’s very hi-tech. And as each year goes by, the equipment gets better, the technology gets better.
"So, I’m very hopeful. I’m very positive."
As the search continues, New York Congressman Brandon Williams has urged the US Navy to step in, calling on Armed Forces to deploy a nuclear submarine 'to find our civilian friends'.
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"Don't wait, get the best sonar operators in the world in a position to help rescue the lost submersible and its crew, while there is still hope," he wrote on Twitter.
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.