A billionaire from Ohio has announced his plans to venture into the depths of the ocean in a submersible and explore the wreckage of the Titanic. This decision comes in the wake of the tragic sub implosion incident involving OceanGate’s Titan submersible. Patrick Lahey, the CEO of Triton Submarines, received a call from his client, Larry Connor, an Ohio real-estate investor, who requested the creation of a submersible capable of reaching the depths of the Titanic.
Connor expressed his desire to demonstrate to the world that Triton Submarines could safely and repeatedly dive to the depths of the Titanic, while also discrediting the Titan submersible. In response, Lahey designed a two-person vessel called the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer, which is available for purchase on Triton Submarines’ website for $20 million. This submersible is specifically engineered for repeated journeys to depths of approximately 4,000 meters, surpassing the Titanic’s resting place at 3,800 meters.
According to Connor, the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer incorporates state-of-the-art materials and technology that were previously unavailable. He emphasized that Lahey had been conceptualizing and designing this submersible for over ten years, but the necessary resources were not accessible until recently. Connor, who has previously explored the Mariana Trench, expressed his eagerness to embark on this journey with Lahey and showcase the safety of their endeavor.
Connor aims to demonstrate to people worldwide that the ocean, despite its immense power, can also offer incredible wonders and life-changing experiences if approached correctly. However, Lahey acknowledged that not everyone shares Connor’s enthusiasm for diving into the depths of the ocean, especially following the tragic incident involving the Titan submersible. He admitted that the incident had sparked apprehension and revived myths that only audacious individuals would consider diving in such vessels.
Lahey emphasized that there is a significant distinction between the quality of Titan’s submarines and those produced by Triton Submarines. Titan’s submarines are certified as safe and compliant with regulations, whereas OceanGate employed experimental designs and materials.
Ray Dalio, a multibillionaire financier who, together with Hollywood director James Cameron, invested in Titan Submarines, expressed confidence in submarines that adhere to safety standards. Despite the news of the OceanGate incident, Dalio asserted that the experimental nature, lack of certification, and non-representative design of the Titan submersible contributed to the incident, and knowledgeable individuals should have no reservations about properly built submarines.
