Missing submarine search team 'hearing loud noises every 30 minutes'

Search teams for the missing submersible Titan in the Atlantic Ocean are reportedly hearing loud underwater noises every 30 minutes, raising hopes for rescue efforts.

“The rescue coordination centre in Halifax deployed a P-8 Poseidon aircraft with underwater surveillance capabilities,” Canada’s Department of Homeland Security said, according to an update obtained by Rolling Stone on June 20.

The P-8 dropped sonobuoys and recorded signals near the location of the missing Titan. The P-8 detected loud noises in the area every 30 minutes. Four hours later, they dropped more sonobuoys and still heard the noise. It is unclear where the noises originated. The update also did not specify when they were detected or how long they lasted.

Image simulates how the vehicles — Image showing how planes and ships are searching for the missing Titan submarine. Photo: *US Coast Guard*

CNN reported similar information, based on an internal memo from the US government. An update late on June 20 said that additional sounds had been heard, but did not describe them as “banging.” “The sounds will aid in the orientation of surface equipment, indicating hope for survivors,” the update said.

A Canadian P3 aircraft also spotted a white rectangular object. However, a ship scheduled to investigate the object was diverted to assist in investigating the "loud noise".

Canadian officials have not commented. OceanGate Expedition, the company that owns and operates the Titan submersible, said it had no information to share at this time.

In an email sent on the afternoon of June 20, Richard Garriot de Cayeux, president of the US-based organization promoting scientific exploration and field research, The Explorers Club, also mentioned these sounds. "It is understood that at around 2:00 a.m. in the search area, hydroacoustic equipment detected a sound that could be a 'knocking sound', indicating that the crew may still be alive and sending signals," according to the email.

Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard announced early on June 21 that a Canadian P-3 aircraft "detected underwater sounds in the search area" but efforts to deploy a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to investigate later "were fruitless."

"In addition, data from the P-3 has been shared with US Navy experts for further analysis, serving future search plans," according to the US Coast Guard.

It is not clear whether the US Coast Guard is referring to the event mentioned in the updates.

Oceanographer David Gallo “felt hopeful” after reports of loud noises during the search, urging rescuers to get resources to the site to investigate. “You can’t wait until you can prove something is there. You have to assume something is there and get everything moving because time is running out,” he said.

Gallo is a senior advisor on strategic initiatives for RMS Titanic, a Georgia-based company that specializes in preserving the Titanic's legacy. He is friends with French expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet, one of the five people on the missing Titan.

Image of the Titan submersible posted by billionaire Hamish Harding on his personal Facebook account on June 17. Photo: Facebook/HamishHarding — A submersible that takes tourists to the Titanic wreck. Photo: *OceanGate Expeditions*

The Titan submersible went missing on June 18 while carrying five people on a tour of the Titanic wreck at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, at a depth of nearly 4,000 meters, about 600 kilometers from Newfoundland, Canada. US and Canadian authorities are deploying a series of planes, ships and equipment to search for and rescue Titan.

Rescuers are racing against time, as Titan only has enough oxygen for 96 hours, as of 6:00 a.m. on June 18. At a press conference at 1:00 p.m. on June 20 (0:00 a.m. on June 21, Hanoi time), Jamie Frederick, a US Coast Guard official, estimated that the remaining oxygen supply was only enough for 40 hours.

The French Oceanographic Institute is sending the Atalante, equipped with a deep-sea robot, to the Atlantic to assist, the French Maritime Ministry announced. The ship is expected to arrive at around 18:00 GMT on June 21 (1:00 AM on June 22 Hanoi time).