Haunting CGI shows depths Titan sub descended
A gripping animation shows just how deep the submersible Titan ventured during trips to the Titanic wreck before its ill-fated final journey.
The OceanGate Expeditions vessel Titan was carrying five passengers to the famous wreck that lies 13,000ft (3,800 metres) beneath the waves when it suffered a catastrophic implosion.
Created by Spanish company MetaBallStudios, the animation pans out from the coast to show just how deep the Titanic lies, strategically placing familiar landmarks to give viewers a sense of perspective.
The first is the Statue of Liberty at 93m, a little shallower than the average depth of the North Sea. The statue is followed by the Eiffel Tower at 324m and Dubai’s famous Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
At this point the ocean is so deep the surface can no longer fit in the screen. Other reference points include the average depth of the Atlantic Ocean at 1,205m, and the deepest submarine cable at 1,600m.
The shot continues to descend until reaching the Titanic at around 3,700m – although it is more widely reported to be closer to 3,800m, or 12,500ft.
The ocean pressure around the wreck is around 400 atmospheres – 400 times the pressure at sea level. The maximum recommended depth for a human to dive when not in a vehicle is around 40m. Ahmed Gabr, who also features in the animation, set the world record for deepest dive on record at 332m.
The submersible lost contact an hour and 45 minutes into its descent on June 18 last year.
Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, was one of the five passengers on board. He was joined by British businessman Hamish Harding, Fench diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Pakistani investor Shahzada Dawood.
Mr Dawood was joined by his son Suleman, who took his mother’s place on the voyage.
A space on the Titan costed $250,000 (£197,000) per person.
The official investigation into the tragedy is ongoing.