Navigating the Depths: Could the Titan Have Been Rescued?

The recent scenario of the Titan submersible breaking at the bottom of the ocean has raised questions about the feasibility of rescue operations at such depths. While the Titan submersible is made with advanced materials like carbon fiber laminate and titanium, it still faces challenges in terms of rescue.

The FADOSS Odyssey: A Potential Rescue Option?

The only feasible option discussed by naval experts is the Navy's remote heavy-lifting salvage drone, the Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System (FADOSS), named Odysseus. Odysseus was the very craft that discovered the Titan's wreckage directly beneath its last known location. Designed for recovering small vessels and lost aircraft from depths as great as 20,000 feet, this drone presents a potential but extremely challenging method for rescue.

The Essence of Safety and Quality Assurance in Submarine Operations

Realistically, however, the chances of a successful rescue at such depths are unfeasible. The success and safety of submarine and manned submersible operations hinge on rigorous safety and quality assurance practices. These methods were instrumental in the U.S. Navy's response to the loss of the USS Thresher (SSN-593) and her entire crew. Since then, the SUBSAFE program has been implemented to ensure the safety of all submarine operations.

Lessons from History: The USS Thresher Tragedy

The 60th anniversary of this tragic event, which occurred on April 10th, is a stark reminder of the importance of safety protocols. Despite this, the deep-sea environment exposes vessels to extreme pressures and risks that are not always fully predictable. The story of the Titanic, which was a passenger liner and not built for such depths, underscores the inevitability of failure in human-made systems subjected to extreme ocean conditions.

Securing the Titan's Framework: Cable Attachment via ROV

Based on photos and the vessel's design, it might be theoretically possible to use an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) to attach a cable to the Titan's framework. This could then allow for the winching of the submersible to the surface. However, this would be a highly complex and risky operation, with numerous potential hazards.

Electromagnet Lifting Option: A Remote Possibility

If the pressure-hull of the Titan were somehow still intact, another submersible could be deployed with an electromagnet slung beneath it. This device might attempt to lift the Titan to a shallower depth where rescue operations could be conducted using conventional methods. However, the likelihood of finding the Titan in such a condition is slim. Additionally, the Titanic, built as a passenger liner, could not withstand the extreme pressure at the ocean floor, making a rescue impossible.

Conclusion: The Harsh Realities of Deep-Sea Rescue

In the face of such challenges, it is clear that while there are theoretical possibilities for rescue operations at extreme depths, the practical and extremely unlikely nature of these solutions underscores the importance of robust safety protocols and continuous improvement in deep-sea exploration and submersible technology.