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As hours before the oxygen supply runs out in the missing Titan submersible reach closer, rescue crews have decided to use Victor 6000 robot, a state-of-the-art deep-sea craft, having advanced capabilities that enable it to reach the sunken wreckage. It is one of the select few vessels on the planet with such capabilities.
According to officials, the ongoing mission to locate the OceanGate tourist vessel in the Atlantic remains a rescue operation. The search effort has been supported by sending out of the world's most advanced underwater search equipment vehicles.
Victor 6000 is a 10-foot-long, remote-controlled device with a distinct yellow back. French news network BMTV called it a “flagship device for underwater operations,” which is capable of reaching as deep as 6,000 meters.
The French ship L'Atalante is currently in close proximity to the dive site of the Titan, carrying the Victor 6000 submersible. The search is also include the Odysseus 6k, a remotely controlled vehicle that can dive to a depth of 6000 meters.
Former authorities suggest people in the submarine could die even if Victor 6000 saves them
The vehicle, which is operated by Pelagic Research Services in California, is fitted with dual hydraulic arms and is thought to have been taken to the search location. Authorities from the US Coast Guard also revealed that they are expecting more devices to arrive at the search location as time passes.
While speaking to news outlet Reuters, Olivier Lefort from France's oceanic research institute Ifremer said:
“Victor 6000 is not capable of lifting the submarine up on its own. Victor is able to do visual exploration with all the video equipment it has. It is also equipped with manipulating arms which could be used to extricate the sub, such as by sectioning cables or things that would be blocking it at the bottom.”
The French submarine Nautile, which was also used by L'Atalante, has been to the Titanic wrecks several times before.
It also has robotic arms that could help with the search, but if or not it would be used in the search hasn't been decided yet.
In the ongoing search operation, aircraft have emerged as a crucial element. A Canadian P-3, in particular, has been instrumental in detecting the distinct "banging" sounds that have garnered significant attention in search efforts.
Lefort claimed that the US Navy asked their agency for help and they could not refuse since one of the five lost crew members present on the now-missing submarine is their former employee, Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
“This is the logic of seafarers. Our attitude was: We are close, we have to go.”
According to the ex-commanding officer of a submarine, Andy Coles, the passengers of submarine could have already died due to lack of oxygen even if they get saved by Victor 6000.
He said that the passengers could pass away due to carbon dioxide poisoning and it would anyway take two months to bring the vessel up even if the device finds it. While speaking to The Mirror, he said:
“I don’t think the submarine has any means of cleaning out the CO2 and recirculating the air. So they will probably go to sleep way before they don’t fully suffocate. The other thing to also consider is 3,800 metres down, it’s incredibly cold.”
As of this article's writing, there has been no update on the lives of the passengers.
