7 minutes

Dennis Katsnelson

A vessel that had been on a relentless quest to locate the ill-fated Titan submersible has returned to the harbor in St. John’s, Newfoundland, bringing with it fragments of the devastated craft. The Horizon Arctic, proudly flying the Canadian flag, served as the home for a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that tirelessly scoured the ocean floor in close proximity to the infamous Titanic wreckage, situated approximately 700 kilometers (435 miles) south of Newfoundland.

We took this video from 6abc Philadelphia YouTube Channel.

Pelagic Research Services, the proud owners of the ROV, have officially confirmed the successful completion of their offshore mission. After an arduous ten-day period of ceaseless work, the company is now in the process of extracting its equipment from the Horizon Arctic. The team, having labored around the clock, can finally take a well-deserved respite.

Tragically, the Titan met its demise in a catastrophic implosion during its descent to the Titanic site on June 18. Plunging to a depth of nearly four kilometers (approximately 2.4 miles) beneath the sea's surface, the submersible's destruction claimed the lives of all five individuals aboard, both passengers and crew alike. The devastating outcome left no room for hope or survival.

In light of this heartbreaking incident, the U.S. Coast Guard officially declared the men deceased on Thursday. This declaration came after the ROV successfully located the remnants of the Titan, lying approximately 500 meters away from the bow of the sunken luxury liner. The confirmation of their deaths served as a somber conclusion to a harrowing chapter in maritime history.

The Horizon Arctic's return to port was met with a mixture of relief and sorrow. While the vessel arrived safely, bringing with it valuable evidence and debris from the ill-fated submersible, it also symbolized the tragic loss of human life. The crew members and researchers who had embarked on this perilous mission were undoubtedly filled with conflicting emotions as they disembarked from the ship that had been their home for the past several weeks.

The recovery of the Titan's wreckage and the subsequent retrieval of debris will undoubtedly provide valuable insights into the events leading to its catastrophic implosion. The diligent efforts of the ROV team have not been in vain, as their tireless work has contributed to our understanding of this tragic incident and may help prevent similar disasters in the future.

As the Horizon Arctic rests in port, the world mourns the lives lost aboard the Titan. Their memory will forever be etched in the annals of maritime history, serving as a reminder of the dangers that accompany exploration and discovery. May their souls find eternal peace, and may their sacrifice never be forgotten.