US Billionaire, Explorer Team Up for Titanic Submersible Dive Adventure

A billionaire and an explorer have unveiled their Titanic submersible expedition, targeting the wreck’s depths in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Larry Connor, a prominent figure in US luxury real estate, and Patrick Lahey, co-founder of Triton Submarines, have announced plans for an ambitious journey to explore the Titanic wreck. Their mission aims to delve into the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean, reaching approximately 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) below the surface.

This announcement comes in the wake of a tragic incident last year, which shook the private submersible industry. Five individuals lost their lives when a vessel built by OceanGate collapsed while en route to the Titanic wreckage. Among the victims were Ocean Gate’s CEO, Stockton Rush, and four other passengers.

Emphasising safety as their top priority, a spokesperson for Larry Connor’s company stated that the proposed expedition would proceed only after obtaining full certification from a reputable marine organisation. However, no specific timeline has been set for the voyage.

The expedition plans involve the utilisation of a submersible named the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer. Notably, this submersible is capable of descending to depths of up to 4,000 meters, significantly surpassing the limitations of the ill-fated Titan submarine, which imploded at a mere 1,300 meters.

Larry Connor conveyed his aspirations for the expedition to the Wall Street Journal, expressing a desire to showcase the awe-inspiring wonders of the ocean while emphasising responsible exploration practices.

Following the Titan disaster, which had a profound impact on the private submersible industry, Connor and Lahey hope that a successful expedition will reinvigorate public interest in underwater exploration. Triton Submarines, founded by Lahey in 2008, stands as a testament to their dedication to advancing deep-sea exploration.

This upcoming venture marks another chapter in the collaborative endeavors of Larry Connor and Patrick Lahey, who previously embarked on expeditions to the Challenger Deep and the Sirena Deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on Earth’s seabed.

Triton Submarines has been approached for further comment regarding the planned expedition.