US Coast Guard reveals the last messages from Titan submarine in new animation depicting events leading to the tragic implosion

The US Coast Guard has unveiled the final messages exchanged between the Titan submersible and its support ship, Polar Prince, just before the submarine tragically imploded during its voyage to the wreckage of the Titanic.

These last communications revealed through an animated video during a hearing on Monday, September 16, 2024, provide a timeline of events leading up to the disaster.

The recreation, part of a two-week Marine Board of Investigation hearing into the incident, depicted how the five passengers aboard the submarine faced communication difficulties but initially felt the situation was "all good" before contact was lost.

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US coast guard unveils timeline of Titan's final communications before catastrophic implosion

The animation detailed that the Titan began its dive from the Polar Prince on June 18, 2023, around 9:20 a.m. local time, off the coast of Canada. The first 40 minutes of the descent appeared routine as the sub and the support ship exchanged messages.

However, at around 10 a.m., communication issues emerged, with the Polar Prince repeatedly asking if the submarine could see the ship on its display.

After 15 minutes of silence, the Titan responded, indicating communication had been restored. The Polar Prince expressed a need for better communication, to which the Titan replied, "Yes," acknowledging they had "lost system and [sic] chat settings." This exchange was reportedly led by explorer Paul-Henry Nargeolet, one of the passengers.

Further communication between the vessels showed the Polar Prince seeking confirmation of the submarine's status. The sub responded affirmatively at 10:15 a.m., stating "All good here." The final update came at 10:47 a.m. when the Titan messaged that they had "dropped two wts," referring to their weights, a procedure used to adjust buoyancy.

Shortly after the final message, contact with the submarine was lost. The submersible was at a depth of 3,350 meters, under immense pressure when communication ceased. At 10:47:32 a.m., just six seconds after sending the final text, the submarine lost all connection with the surface.

The wreckage of the submersible was discovered four days later, approximately 500 meters from the Titanic wreckage site. The implosion killed all five passengers aboard, including Nargeolet, adventurer Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, and Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, the company that operated the submarine.

The hearing began on September 16 and aims to examine the sequence of events that led to the submersible’s catastrophic implosion. The US Coast Guard's Marine Board of Investigation is tasked with reviewing testimony from technical experts, crew members, and other relevant parties. They will assess the submersible’s design, operational protocols, and safety standards.

OceanGate, the company responsible for the submarine, has suspended its operations amid the ongoing investigation. The company has cooperated with government probes but has come under scrutiny over potential safety violations.

One expert interviewed by PEOPLE commented on the procedures involved in operating a sub like the Titan, explaining that dropping weights during a dive is a standard measure. This is done to slow the descent and allow the sub to explore the ocean floor with minimal energy consumption. However, the expert emphasized that this weight drop does not necessarily indicate trouble.

The families of the victims have raised concerns about the final moments aboard the submarine. Nargeolet's family, for instance, has filed a lawsuit, alleging that the passengers endured "terror and mental anguish" before the implosion, although some outside experts have disputed these claims.

The Coast Guard's investigation is expected to continue for the next two weeks, with further analysis of evidence related to the submarine's design and operation. The goal is to uncover the contributing factors to the tragedy and make recommendations to improve future safety in deep-sea exploration.

Authorities believe the catastrophic implosion, caused by intense underwater pressure, occurred shortly after the submarine lost contact with the surface.