Everything we know about the latest billionaire-funded Titanic submersible voyage
A picture issued by OceanGate Expeditions of their submersible vessel named Titan, launching from its platform in June 2023. One year later, US billionaire Larry Connor and deep-sea explorer Patrick Lahey are planning their own voyage to the Titanic.
US billionaire Larry Connor and deep-sea explorer Patrick Lahey are planning on going to the remains of the Titanic by submersible. The wreckage lies at a depth of approximately 12,467ft or 3,800m and is located about 690 kilometers off the coast of Newfoundland.
The project has been called 'The Explorer - Return to the Titanic' and according to , it is planned to take place in the summer of 2026.
Lahey is co-founder of Triton Submarines while Connor is a real-estate tycoon based in Ohio.
The pair are planning to take a submersible, called the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer, to a depth of about 12,467ft or 3,800m to see the wreckage of the Titanic which sank in 1912.
Speaking to , Connor explained their reasoning for undertaking the expedition: “I want to show people worldwide that while the ocean is extremely powerful, it can be wonderful and enjoyable and really kind of life-changing if you go about it the right way,” he said.
The Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer is being built by Triton Submarines, an American company that designs and manufactures subs for deep-ocean exploration and research.
The model fits two people and will be capable of reaching depths of 4,000m or 13,100ft. It is almost 10ft tall and weights 12,000kg. With a width of 9ft, the sub will travel at a speed of 3kn (knots).
According to , the submersible has different cruise types that will allow it to resurface quickly when required.
It is controlled by a joystick and has windows which allow those inside to see their surroundings.
4000/2 Abyssal Explorer was used when filming underwater scenes for Blue Planet II
It has been reported that the submersible will cost $16 million to build.
The news of the expedition comes almost one year after five people died when the submersible they were travelling in to the Titanic imploded.
The submersible was built by OceanGate and the incident claimed the lives of OcenGate’s chief executive Stockton Rush, as well as four other passengers. They were: British adventurer Hamish Harding and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
The voyage commenced in June 2023 but the sub lost communication with tour operators when about 435 miles south of St John’s, Newfoundland.
Following a major search operation, the US Coast Guard and OceanGate confirmed that those on board had died and that a “catastrophic implosion” had occurred.
According to the , the OceanGate submersible was made of carbon fibre and was only certified to travel to depths of 1,300m, while the Titanic wreckage is at 3,800m.
A spokesperson for Connor’s company said that the expedition would only take place if the submarine was fully certified.
Larry Connor has previously undertaken adventures such as travelling to the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest oceanic trench (approx. 36,000ft).
He was also involved in the first private mission to the International Space Station in 2022.
Patrick Lahey co-founded Triton Submarines in 2008. According to , he has been involved in underwater exploration since 1975.
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