The fact that there have been no signals from the tourist submarine that disappeared in the North Atlantic is very worrying. That’s what Håkan Beckius says, a former professional officer with extensive knowledge of submarines.
– If you don’t get any contact, then something must have happened on board, he says.
There is a major rescue effort off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada, after a small submarine, which according to The Guardian had five people on board, disappeared.
Håkan Beckius has throughout his professional life been active in the Swedish submarine force as a professional officer, and has extensive experience in submarine hunting.
The tourist submarine belongs to a company that conducts underwater expeditions, where for an expensive sum you can go along on a tour around the Titanic’s wreck, which lies at a depth of approximately 3,800 meters.
“It’s like walking on a mine”
There are submarines or watercraft, specially built to withstand the high pressure that occurs at such great depths. But it is precisely the pressure that must be under control during submarine expeditions.
– The pressure at a depth of 100 meters is ten kilos. Then you understand what pressure it will be at 3,000 meters. This submarine is supposed to be built to handle it, but it is clear that if you open a valve, or bump into something. It’s like walking on a mine with the submarine, says Håkan Beckius.
The fact that the submarine is reported to have disappeared means, most likely, that no signals were received from the transmitter. Another imminent risk is that the oxygen in submarines is limited.
– If you don’t get in touch, then it’s miserable. Then something must have happened on board.
Can perceive sounds at great distances
With the aid of a hydrophone, a listening tool used underwater, one can otherwise perceive sounds from great distances.
– Sound travels four times faster in water than in air. If you have a hydrophone, you can perceive if someone knocks on the hull, says Håkan Beckius.
British billionaire on board
British billionaire and adventurer Hamish Harding is on board the submarine. His family confirms this on Facebook, writing Sky News.
Harding himself posted a post on Sunday where he wrote that he and a couple of “legendary explorers” would be on board. He also wrote that the trip would probably be the only one this year due to difficult weather.
“Experimental” submarine
BBC reports on how a reporter from the Canadian television channel CBC accompanied a submarine expedition to the wreck of the Titanic last year.
The agreement that the reporter is allowed to sign states that it is an “experimental” vessel “which has not been approved or certified by any regulatory authority, and which may result in physical injury, disability, emotional trauma or death”.