US billionaire plans submersible trip to Titanic wreck

US luxury real estate billionaire Larry Connor and deep-sea explorer Patrick Lahey are planning a submersible expedition to explore the Titanic wreck. Connor, an Ohio tycoon and adventurer, and Lahey, co-founder of Triton Submarines, aim to reach a depth of approximately 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The planned voyage will utilise the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer, a submersible certified for depths of up to 4,000 meters. This comes after the implosion of OceanGate’s Titan submersible in June 2023, which resulted in the deaths of all five on board, including OceanGate’s CEO, Stockton Rush. The Titan, constructed of carbon fibre, was only certified to 1,300 meters, significantly less than the depth of the Titanic wreck.

A spokesperson for Connor’s company stated that the expedition will only proceed once the vessel is fully certified by a marine organisation. There is no set timeframe for the expedition. Connor expressed a desire to demonstrate the ocean’s power and beauty, emphasising safety and proper exploration methods. The Titan disaster had a significant impact on the private submersible industry, leading to suspended operations and declining sales. Lahey hopes this new expedition will renew interest in deep-sea exploration.