A former commander for the US Navy has said the missing crew onboard the Titan submersible has just a ‘one percent chance of survival’.
A huge search and rescue mission is currently underway to find OceanGate's vessel, which disappeared on Sunday.
On board are five passengers: Hamish Harding; Paul-Henri Nargeolet; Shahzada Dawood and his son Sulaiman; and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush.
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In a statement released yesterday (Tuesday June 20), the company said: “For some time, we have been unable to establish communications with one of our submersible exploration vehicles which is currently visiting the wreck site of the Titanic.
“Our entire focus is on the wellbeing of the crew and every step possible is being taken to bring the five crew members back safely.
“We are deeply grateful for the urgent and extensive assistance we are receiving from multiple government agencies and deep-sea companies as we seek to reestablish contact with the submersible.
“We pray for the safe return of the crew and passengers, and we will provide updates as they are available.”
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During a press conference yesterday, experts told the media that the crew had around 40 hours of oxygen left.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Lt. David Marquet, a former nuclear submarine commander for the US Navy, said: “If I was advising the Prime Minister, I'd say their chances are one percent.”
Opening up about the problems rescuers face, he went on: “The problem, it is most likely on the bottom at this point because it wasn’t found on the surface and it doesn’t seem to be making any noises so this leads me of a pessimistic thought-process that they are unable to turn on the hull.
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“We’re then talking about trying to find a minivan amongst the wreckage of the Titanic.
“Once they find it though we've got to get it up to the surface which means either freeing it if it’s lodged in the Titanic somehow.
“Or more likely, they have lost the ability [to surface], so we need to hoist them which needs a ship with a 2.5mile-long cable.
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“The most difficult part will be getting the hook on to it. It's like that arcade game except you can't see, so paint the walls black, and make it 2.5miles long - and there’s wind in there so it is blowing around.
“All is not lost yet because they still have oxygen but… imagine the sub is on the far side of the moon – that is a better representation.
“Even if you find it, how do you get it back up? They can't open it from the inside - it’s bolted from the outside.”
Claire Reid