The U.S. Navy detected the Titanic-bound submersible’s implosion on Sunday, days before the information was disclosed to the public on Thursday after a massive search operation that captured global attention, according to a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) official.
The five men aboard the Titan, who were attempting to explore the Titanic wreckage in the Atlantic Ocean, are believed to have tragically perished due to a suspected “catastrophic implosion,” according to USCG officials.
In a surprising revelation, the USCG has confirmed that the U.S. Navy first detected the implosion soon after the Titan went missing on Sunday. The Navy promptly provided this information to aid the search and rescue efforts, although its significance could not be definitively determined. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news citing unnamed sources.
“As a member of the Unified Command, the U.S. Navy conducted an analysis of acoustic data and detected an anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion in the general vicinity of where the Titan submersible was operating when communications were lost,” USCG spokesperson Petty Officer 3rd Class Briana Carter said in a statement.
“While not definitive, this information was immediately shared with the Incident Commander to assist with the search and rescue mission.”
During a press briefing held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Coast Guard Rear Adm. John W. Mauger revealed that a debris field, presumably belonging to the missing vessel, was discovered approximately 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic wreckage. He noted that this debris field indicated a “catastrophic implosion” and appeared to be “consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber” within the submersible.
Mauger expressed his condolences to the families affected by this tragic event.
“Upon this determination, we immediately notified the families,” he said. “On behalf of the United States Coast Guard and the entire unified command, I offer my deepest condolences to the families. I can only imagine what this has been like for them. And I hope that this discovery provides some solace during this difficult time.”
