Submersible Expedition to Titanic
Larry Connor, a prominent Ohio real estate billionaire, and Patrick Lahey, co-founder of Triton Submarines, are gearing up for an extraordinary submersible journey to explore the Titanic wreckage. This ambitious expedition aims to reach depths of around 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) in the North Atlantic Ocean, offering a new perspective on the historic shipwreck.
The proposed voyage comes in the wake of a tragic incident involving OceanGate’s Titan submersible, which imploded during a Titanic expedition in June 2023, killing five people. OceanGate’s CEO, Stockton Rush, British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, British businessman Hamish Harding, and former French navy diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet were all aboard the ill-fated vessel. The Titan was constructed of carbon fiber and certified to only 1,300 meters, far short of the Titanic wreck’s depth. Rush had reportedly ignored several safety warnings, and investigations by US and Canadian authorities are still ongoing.
In contrast, Connor and Lahey plan to use the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer, a state-of-the-art submersible designed to safely operate at depths of up to 4,000 meters. A spokesperson for Connor’s company emphasized that the expedition will only proceed once the submersible receives full certification from a recognized marine organization. No specific timeframe has been set for the expedition.
Larry Connor, who leads The Connor Group, a real estate investment firm based near Dayton, Ohio, expressed his motivation for the expedition in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. He hopes to showcase the ocean’s beauty and transformative potential when explored safely. “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,” Connor said.
The private submersible industry faced significant setbacks following the Titan disaster, with OceanGate suspending operations and other companies reporting canceled orders and declining sales. Patrick Lahey noted that the tragedy had a chilling effect on interest in submersible vehicles. However, he and Connor hope that a successful Titanic expedition will help reignite public interest and confidence in deep-sea exploration.
Lahey, who co-founded Triton Submarines in 2008, brings extensive experience in deep-sea exploration. In 2021, he and Connor ventured together in a submersible to the Challenger Deep and the Sirena Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest points on Earth’s seabed, reaching nearly 36,000 feet below the surface. Their successful missions in the Mariana Trench demonstrate their capability and commitment to safe and groundbreaking underwater exploration.
The upcoming Titanic expedition promises to be a significant milestone in deep-sea exploration. With rigorous safety measures and advanced technology, Connor and Lahey aim to inspire a renewed appreciation for the ocean’s depths. Triton Submarines has been contacted for further comments on the planned journey.
By highlighting the contrast between their meticulously planned expedition and the OceanGate tragedy, Connor and Lahey hope to restore confidence in the private submersible industry. Their mission underscores the importance of safety, certification, and the potential for awe-inspiring discoveries beneath the waves.
