PORTLAND, Maine — Recently unveiled audio by the federal government features what is believed to be the sound of the experimental submersible’s implosion that went missing while attempting to reach the Titanic wreck.
A passive acoustic recorder operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, situated approximately 900 miles (1,448 kilometers) from the site of the incident, captured the sound, according to a statement from U.S. Coast Guard officials. The recording was made public on February 7.
This short, static-filled audio includes a prominent sound reminiscent of an underwater thunderclap, followed by silence for the remaining brief duration.
The Coast Guard stated that this audio clip captures what is believed to be the acoustic signature of the Titan submersible’s implosion that occurred on June 18, 2023, the date it went missing.
The Titan’s implosion resulted in the tragic deaths of all five individuals onboard and prompted a Coast Guard investigation, alongside an international discussion regarding the future of private deep-sea exploration. The submersible disappeared while journeying to the Titanic wreck in the North Atlantic, leading to a five-day search that culminated in the confirmation of the vessel’s destruction and the absence of any survivors.
Following the incident, significant concerns were raised regarding the Titan’s unique design and the refusal of its creators to undergo independent safety evaluations. OceanGate, the company based in Washington state that operated the submersible, halted its operations in July 2023.
Among the lives lost in the implosion was Stockton Rush, the operator and co-founder of OceanGate. The incident also claimed the lives of several notable individuals, including Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, British adventurer Hamish Harding, and Titanic specialist Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
A Coast Guard panel has been conducting an extensive investigation into this submersible tragedy, which included two weeks of testimonies last September. Some of these testimonies featured dramatic accounts, such as comments from a former scientific director at OceanGate regarding a malfunction of the Titan just days prior to its catastrophic implosion.
The Coast Guard is anticipated to provide additional details concerning the implosion in due time. A spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that the investigation remains active and that a comprehensive report will be generated upon its completion.