Missing Titanic submersible has 35 hours of breathable air left, Coast Guard says

BOSTON (WLNE) — The U.S. Coast Guard estimated as of Tuesday afternoon, the missing tourist submersible has roughly 40 hours left of breathable air for the five people on board.

“The US Coast Guard has coordinated search efforts with the US and Canadian Coast Guard, international guard aircraft, and the Polar Prince which has searched a combined 7,600 square miles, an area larger than the state of Connecticut,” said Capt. Jamie Frederick, response coordinator.

OceanGate Expeditions is the Canadian-based company that operates tours to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean for the public to see the wreckage of the Titanic.

Frederick said while the submersible has not been located, it’s a multiagency effort to search the surface and sub-surface around the ocean liner that sank over a century ago.

The submersible called Titan was reported missing on Sunday. There are five people, including well-known researchers, on board.

It is believed to have gone missing about 900 miles off Cape Cod.

ABC 6 News obtained the following statement from OceanGate:

“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.”

The Coast Guard would not comment if they have the equipment necessary onsite to save the five on board if they were located.

Time is of the essence in the search.

The submersible had a 96-hour oxygen supply when it set out at 6 a.m. on Sunday, reports say. The oxygen supply can run out by about 6 a.m. on Thursday.

Boston is serving as the rescue and coordination command center of the search.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.