Although they are aware of the risks and dangers of exploring in a submersible, what they are primarily interested in is the exhilaration of uncovering the mysterious world of the deep ocean.
On the morning of June 18 local time, the Titan submersible brought a group of five people to the bottom of the sea to visit the wreckage of the Titanic. However, after 1 hour and 45 minutes, the ship lost contact with the mother ship Polar Prince.
Rescue teams are racing against time to find and rescue the missing before the ship's oxygen supply dries up.
OceanGate is currently under criticism for building and operating the Titan, which led to the tragedy of its disappearance. Many industry experts have questioned the safety of deep-sea submersibles.
Tourists who have taken part in ocean exploration in a submersible say they are excited despite the danger and horror of the experience. According to OceanGate's website, passengers are required to undergo an extensive diving training course and make a payment of $250,000 to embark on a submersible tour.
Joseph Wortman, a 53-year-old tourist who participated in the submersible Titan expedition in 2021, expressed that all customers have a common desire for exploration.
Waterman is an experienced pilot with many adventure travel experiences, including flights to the edge of the Earth's atmosphere.
Wortman said he was very wary when he was "locked" inside Titan, even though it was a worrisome situation. As the ship sinks, passengers were able to enjoy music and observe luminescent marine life through their windows.
He recollected how the Titan submersible navigated towards the Titanic wreckage and approached its stern. He said it was interesting to see the legendary ship up close.
Last July, Mike Reiss, a 63-year-old writer for "The Simpsons," joined the expedition aboard the Titan. He expressed that the greatest concern during the journey is the risk of not surviving. Reiss revealed that the commitment documents given to all passengers explicitly mentioned the risk of death within the first three pages.
Meanwhile, another passenger, CBS Sunday Morning reporter David Pogue, said the experimental submersible had not been approved or certified for operation by any legal agency. Consequently, there is a risk of potential injury, damage, or even loss of life.
The Titan submersible is about the size of a pickup truck with no seats, but it's not stuffy, Reiss said.
The boat will move to about 450m from the wreck of the Titanic and they only have about 20-30 minutes to explore the Titanic.
CBS reporter David Pogue made the trip aboard the Titan submersible last year. He said the submarine had a crude "toilet" consisting of a bag and a bottle with little food. His voyage was stopped at a water depth of 11 m due to a foundation failure, causing the ship to sink into the water.
Pogue signed a pledge before boarding the ship. Its content lists 8 hazards that may render the visitor non-viable or permanently disabled.
