Sensitive U.S. Navy equipment detected the missing sub’s implosion on Sunday, several days prior to a public disclosure of the sensitive information.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) official, the USCG verified that the U.S. Navy initially detected the implosion shortly after the submersible went missing on Sunday. First reported by the Wall Street Journal, the Navy presented the intelligence to assist the search efforts, although the magnitude of the information was not conclusively established at that time.
“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 stated.
Carter added: “While not definitive, this information was immediately shared with the Incident Commander to assist with the search and rescue mission.”
During Thursday’s press briefing, Coast Guard Rear Adm. John W. Mauger disclosed that just 1,600 feet from the sunken Titanic’s bow, a debris field, seemingly belonging to the vessel, was discovered. He cited a “catastrophic implosion” was indicated by the characteristics of the debris field, appearing to be “consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber” within the sub.
Mauger went on to express his sympathy for the families affected by the unimaginable circumstances.
“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.”
According to USCG officials, the five men aboard the submersible, who were endeavoring to survey the Titanic wreckage, are presumed to have sadly perished as a result of the suspected “catastrophic implosion.”
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