Canadian maritime surveillance aircraft reported to have detected ‘banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes’.
As a result of the noises detected by the P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) were relocated “in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises”, the coastguard said on Wednesday.
So far, the remotely operated underwater vehicles have “yielded negative results” but they are continuing to search, the coastguard said in a tweet.
“Additionally, the data from the P-3 aircraft has been shared with our US Navy experts for further analysis which will be considered in future search plans,” it added.
The coastguard did not detail the nature or extent of the sounds that were detected, or how they were encountered.
Rolling Stone magazine, citing internal US government communications, was the first to report the news of what was described as “banging sounds in the area every 30 minutes”.
“Four hours later additional sonar was deployed and banging was still heard,” the magazine said, citing an internal email sent to US Department of Homeland Security officials.
Canadian P-3 aircraft detected underwater noises in the search area. As a result, ROV operations were relocated in an attempt to explore the origin of the noises. Those ROV searches have yielded negative results but continue. 1/2
— USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) June 21, 2023
The missing submersible Titan, operated by US-based OceanGate Expeditions, was built to stay underwater for 96 hours, according to its specifications – giving the five people on board until Thursday morning before the air runs out, according to officials.
The wreck of the Titanic, which sank on its maiden voyage in April 1912, lies about 1,450km (900 miles) east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and 644km (400 miles) south of St John’s, Newfoundland.
Three C-17 transport planes from the US military have been used to move commercial submersible and support equipment from Buffalo, New York, to St John’s, Newfoundland, to aid in the search, a spokesperson for US Air Mobility Command said.
The Canadian military said it has provided a patrol aircraft and two surface ships, including one that specialises in dive medicine. It also dropped sonar buoys to listen for any sounds from the Titan.
One pilot and four passengers were inside the miniature submersible early on Sunday when it began its dive to the ocean floor to view the Titanic but lost communication with a parent ship on the surface about one hour and 45 minutes into its dive.
Those on board Titan for the expedition that costs $250,000 per person are believed to be United Kingdom billionaire Hamish Harding, 58, Pakistani-born businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, with his 19-year-old son Suleman, who are British citizens, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, and American Stockton Rush, founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, Authorities have not confirmed the identity of any passenger.