UK submarines that could reach missing Titan unable to be shipped across the Atlantic to help
BRITAIN has “ultra-deep” submarines that could have reached the stricken Titan – but they failed to find a cargo plane to jet them across the Atlantic in time.
The remote controlled submersibles – nicknamed Romeo and Juliet – dived at the site last year to survey the Titanic.
They are fitted with lights and mechanical arms that could have grabbed the missing Titan – if they could locate it.
US officials insisted they had all the kit they needed.
But The Sun understands they are getting advice from a serving Royal Navy submarine expert who is on attachment to the US Navy.
The US Navy’s salvage boss and a specialist oceanographer are also helping the Coastguard-led mission.
The Guernsey based firm Magellan, which owns the Romeo and Juliet subs, are providing expert advice based on their 3D surveys conducted last year.
Magellan revealed that OceanGate, which owns the missing Titan sub, failed to raise the alarm for more than 24 hours after the dive went wrong on Sunday morning.
Magellan said: “We were contacted by OceanGate early Monday, UK time, June 19, and immediately offered our knowledge of the specific site and also our expertise operating at depth considerably in advance of what is required for this incident.
“OceanGate instructed us to mobilise and use the means necessary to fly the needed equipment and crew to St John’s, Newfoundland as soon as possible, stating time is of the essence.”
But they needed a C-17 transport plane to carry the 4-tonne subs and the three miles of tethering cable – and the closest port to the site didn’t have a runway big enough to land the military jet.
Staff at the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office at the UK’s Northwood military headquarters in London were also attempting to coordinate the rescue.