Nearly a year after the tragic implosion of the OceanGate Titan submersible, a new mission aims to safely reach the Titanic wreckage at the bottom of the North Atlantic. Larry Connor, a billionaire real estate mogul from Ohio, has announced an ambitious plan to demonstrate that deep-sea exploration can be conducted securely with proper engineering and safety measures.
Larry Connor, 74, is the founder of The Connor Group, a luxury real estate firm based in Dayton, Ohio. With a net worth of $2 billion and a real estate portfolio valued at $5 billion, Connor is no stranger to high-stakes ventures. His past explorations include diving into the Mariana Trench and visiting the International Space Station.
Connor’s latest mission is driven by a commitment to proving that deep-sea exploration can be undertaken safely. His determination was ignited following the OceanGate Titan incident in June 2023, which resulted in the deaths of all five occupants.
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Connor’s expedition will be conducted in partnership with Triton Submarines, a company renowned for its cutting-edge submersible technology. Triton’s CEO, Patrick Lahey, who had previously criticized OceanGate’s safety standards, has joined forces with Connor to ensure the success of this mission.
The two-person submersible, Triton 4000/2 “Abyss Explorer,” is the vessel of choice for this daring dive. Priced at $20 million, it is touted as “the world’s deepest diving acrylic sub,” capable of descending over 13,000 feet. Lahey, co-founder of Triton with Bruce Jones, will accompany Connor on this mission.
A Year After OceanGate’s Tragedy
The memory of the OceanGate disaster looms large over this new initiative. On June 18, 2023, the OceanGate Titan embarked on a journey to the Titanic site, located 12,500 feet below the surface. The submersible, constructed from carbon fibre and titanium, was heavily criticized for its unconventional design and reliance on a video game controller for navigation. The Titan lost communication with its mothership 90 minutes into the dive and is believed to have imploded shortly thereafter. The disaster claimed the lives of British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani national Shahzada Dawood and his young son Suleman, among others.
Connor’s mission aims to underscore the importance of rigorous safety measures in deep-sea exploration. “Ours is not just a trip to the Titanic,” Connor stated in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. “It’s a research mission.” He emphasized that the purpose is to demonstrate to the world that it is possible to build a revolutionary submersible that can safely and successfully reach great depths.
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“Patrick has been thinking about and designing this for over a decade,” Mr Connor said. “But we didn’t have the materials and technology. You couldn’t have built this sub five years ago.”
The custom submersible, still in the design phase, will be based on the Triton Abyssal Explorer, an acrylic-hulled vessel capable of reaching depths of 13,000 feet. This design will ensure the submersible can withstand the immense pressures of the deep ocean, providing a safe environment for its occupants.
LarryConnor’s venture is not just about proving that deep-sea exploration can be done safely; it is also about continuing the human spirit of exploration and discovery. The Titanic wreck, a symbol of human ambition and tragedy, remains one of the most significant underwater archaeological sites. By conducting scientific research at the site, Connor and his team aim to contribute valuable knowledge about the wreck and the deep ocean environment.
The exact date for this ambitious dive has not been disclosed, but preparations are well underway. Connor and Lahey’s mission to the Titanic wreckage promises to be a landmark event in the world of deep-sea exploration. As they gear up for this journey, the lessons from the OceanGate disaster serve as a poignant reminder of the risks involved and the critical importance of safety in such endeavors.
This mission reflects a broader trend in the exploration sector, where private funding and advanced technology are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. As Larry Connor prepares to dive into the depths of the North Atlantic, the world watches with anticipation, hopeful that this mission will mark a new chapter in the safe and successful exploration of our planet’s final frontiers.