A submersible used for sightseeing expeditions to the wreck of the Titanic was reported missing, and here's everything you need to know about the submarine and the British millionaire who is among the crew of the lost vessel.

Titan, designed together with NASA

The missing submersible is known as Titan and belongs to Ocean Gate Expeditions, a company founded in 2009 that rents manned submarines for research and exploration.

Stockton Rush, director and founder of the company, explained that to offer the option of commercial travel to the Titanic, it first had to create a new type of submersible with lightweight materials that would allow up to five people to be carried from the ocean-going vessel to the depths where the wreckage lies.

The ship was designed in collaboration with NASA, and this year, after several successful expeditions in 2021 and 2022, it began to make tourist trips. However, the company continues to refer to Titan in its documents as "an experimental submersible vessel that has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and could result in physical injury, disability, emotional trauma or death."

Travel requirements

Not just anyone can make the trip to the Titanic, as Ocean Gate requires those onboard to be at least 18 years old and meet specific physical conditions. But that's not all; before boarding, those interested have to answer several questions and participate in an interview and, if selected, are required to pay $250,000 for the mission and training that covers navigation, piloting, maintenance and submersible operations, as well as tracking and communications.

The voyage to the Titanic

The voyage begins when the submarine sets sail from the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, and usually lasts between eight and ten hours, as the submarine must descend to a depth of 3,800 meters.

Life support capability

The submersible, which went missing on Sunday, only has a 96-hour life support capacity to sustain its crew of five. However, as the submarine departed on Sunday morning and it was approximately one hour and 45 minutes before contact with the vessel was lost, there would only be about 72 hours remaining for a successful rescue.

The prediction of the millionaire crew member

British millionaire Hamish Harding, famous for his worldwide exploration adventures, is reportedly one of the crew members aboard the missing submarine. The president of Action Aviation, a company dedicated to business jets and helicopters, shared through social networks that he would be part of the adventure. However, shortly before his trip, the man shared an almost foreboding message that the trip would have complications.

"Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only manned mission to the Titanic in 2023," he commented.