Sonar Picks up Underwater Noise in Search for Missing Titanic Sub

As the search for the missing OceanGate Expeditions’ submersible continues three days after it lost contact, agencies from across the globe continue to search above and below the ocean’s surface for the missing Titan and its five passengers.

During a U.S. Coast Guard press conference Wednesday, we learned two remote-operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) are currently searching below the ocean’s surface, with several more expected in the next 24 hours. Coast Guard Captain Jamie Frederick said a Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises, described as “banging” in the search area Tuesday night, which led to the relocation of the ROVs to try and explore the origin of the noises. On Wednesday, a P-3 also heard noises. Those aircraft are using sonar to scour the ocean for any signs of the missing vessel. Frederick told reporters all noises are being analyzed and the search is focused on the area where those noises were heard. 

The French Ifremer Institute’s underwater robot-equipped ship the Atlante was expected to arrive at the search site sometime Wednesday. The Victor 6000 underwater robot can reach depths of 20,000 feet and could be instrumental in helping to find the missing sub. 

The Coast Guard Air Station, Elizabeth City, the Air National Guard and the Canadian Armed Forces are aiding in the air search. 

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Frederick told reporters Wednesday the search area for the missing sub has expanded and is now twice the size of Connecticut. He called the search and rescue operation “incredibly complex, requiring both surface and subsurface elements.” The search site is located 800 miles east of Cape Cod and 400 miles southeast of St John’s, a location he said makes it “exceptionally difficult to mobilize large amounts of equipment quickly.” 

“In spite of those challenges,” Frederick said, “we've been able to provide continuous air and surface search assets, as well as additional ROV (remote operated vehicle) capability search below surface.”

OceanGate Expeditions’ submersible, the Titan, went missing on Sunday an hour and 45 minutes into what officials say would have been a two-hour and 30-minute dive to the Titanic’s wreckage. At the time of its disappearance officials said those inside the deep diving vessel had 96 hours of oxygen remaining. 

Frederick says they will continue searching in the area where the noises were detected and put additional ROVs down in the last known position.