What we know about the Titanic tourist vessel missing in the Atlantic

A rescue operation is underway deep in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean south of Newfoundland and Labrador for a submersible vessel that carries people to view the wreckage of the Titanic.

The Canadian Coast Guard is assisting with the operation, which is being led by U.S. coast guard in Boston.

The underwater trip is operated by a company called OceanGate Expeditions, which confirmed one of its vessels, the Titan, was missing. 

There are five people on board, according U.S. coast guard Rear Admiral John Mauger. 

What do we know about the submersible?

The Titan is a carbon fibre and titanium submersible that is "lighter in weight and more cost-efficient to mobilize than any other deep-diving submersible," according to OceanGate.

It can dive to a depth of 4,000 metres. 

It has been used on several expeditions, carrying five crew members to the wreck of the Titanic at 3,800 metres, according to the company. 

Its dimensions are 6.7 metres long by 2.8 metres wide by 2.5 metres high. It weighs about 10,000 kilograms and can carry a payload of 685 kilograms. 

WATCH | On board the Titan: 

Go inside a submarine used to explore the Titanic wreck

2 years ago

Duration 2:48

It can take five passengers to the Titanic on the ocean floor, you can pilot it with a gaming controller...and it has a toilet. Climb aboard Titan, a unique submarine used to explore the world's most famous shipwreck.

How fast can it go?

It travels at a speed of three knots, or about 5.5 km/h, and can be operated in varying sea states. 

The submersible was reported missing somewhere around 370 nautical miles — or 685 kilometres — off the coast of Newfoundland while on a diving mission to the legendary wreckage.

The U.S. coast guard said the Polar Prince lost contact with Titan about an hour and 45 minutes after it began its descent. 

How safe is it?

OceanGate says a series of sensors and other technology on board makes it possible to monitor the pressure inside the vessel as it descends and to "assess the integrity of the structure."

It says the system "provides early warning detection for the pilot with enough time to arrest the descent and safely return to surface."

The vessel would have beacons which would always be operating, according to Doug Elsey, executive director of the Canadian Association of Diving Contractors. "You can locate them underwater, so you know where they are," he said in an interview with CBC News. 

But if communications were lost entirely between the submersible and the ship from which it was launched and it couldn't be found on the surface, Elsey says, that's when the Coast Guard would be deployed with all of its resources to try to locate the vessel either at or below the surface of the ocean. 

WATCH | How the Titan might be located: 

The technology aiding the search for the Titan

1 year ago

Duration 1:52

Various kinds of technology would be deployed both by the submersible and the search-and-rescue ships involved in the operation to locate the missing Titan, says Doug Elsey, executive director of the Canadian Association of Diving Contractors.

How long can people survive on board?

According to OceanGate, in the event of an emergency, there is life support capability for five people on board the Titan for 96 hours, or four days.

How many times has the Titan gone to the Titanic wreck?

The company is currently operating its fifth Titanic "mission" of 2023, according to its website, which had been scheduled to start last week and finish on Thursday.

The Titan has made dozens of dives to the wreck site since 2019.