Larry Connor, an Ohio-based real estate mogul and passionate explorer, has an obsession: reaching the wreck of the Titanic, located 3,800 meters deep in the North Atlantic Ocean, aboard a submarine. To carry out this mission, he joined forces with Patrick Lahey, co-founder of Triton Submarines, a company specializing in the construction of high-end submersibles.
A high-risk expedition to revisit the wreck of the Titanic
This expedition would come after the tragedy which marked the underwater exploration sector last year, when five people lost their lives following the implosion of the Titan submarine, designed by OceanGate. This tragedy not only shook the industry, but it also highlighted the dangers associated with such shipments. The Titan, built mainly of carbon fiber, was only certified for dives to 1,300 meters, far insufficient for the depths of the Titanic.
Faced with these events, Larry Connor and Patrick Lahey want to restore confidence in underwater exploration. Their tool: the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer submersible, capable of diving to a depth of 4,000 meters, a level of security much higher than that of the Titan. “ I want to show the world that although the ocean is extremely powerful, it can also be wonderful and rewarding if done the right way “, declared Larry Connor at Wall Street Journal.
The implosion of the Titan, which occurred in June 2023, continues to be the subject of investigations by American and Canadian authorities. OceanGate, the company responsible, suspended operations following the incident, and many others in the industry saw their businesses collapse. Patrick Lahey, who has always criticized OceanGate’s methods, hopes their future expedition will reignite public interest in underwater travel.
The Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer, their new submersible, features technologies and materials that were not available even five years ago. With its design called “Gull Wing”, the machine stands out for its ability to move easily on the seabed, while offering better maneuverability thanks to its retractable wings and its eight thrusters. Cameras mounted on these wings will provide unprecedented images of the underwater environment.
This expedition, planned for the summer of 2026, aims to demonstrate that the exploration of the Titanic can be carried out safely, and several times. According to Patrick Lahey, this initiative must also prove that “ the Titan was a failing machine », as opposed to the Triton 4000/2, designed with safety in mind.
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