I wouldn’t be surprised. But, I suspect there’s also a factor of just implausibility. Apparently, the main vessel they use is “experimental”, so it may just literally be impossible to have a recovery vessel without being a literal government.
My money’s on this being the result of someone ignoring the “hey, these are not good conditions” warnings.
Not just ‘experimental’. This thing looks like something you’d find on a backyard engineering website. Some of it’s functionality is accessed with an offbrand video game controller.
An experimental submersible vessel that has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and could result in physical injury, disability, emotional trauma or death.
There was some speculation the pressure vessel could have imploded, due to it being made out of thick fiber glass, which is like glass wherein any tiny imperfection under pressure can cause the entire vessel to break. This is why other pressure vessels are made out of stainless steel, they’re easier to inspect.
If the vessel didn’t implode, there’s a decent chance it’s floating on the surface, but lost. This is because the ballast for these subs is heavy metal attached via electromagnet. Should anything go wrong, the magnets can be disengaged, and the sub with resurface.
Here’s hoping it’s lost and can be found, imploding is a horrifying way to go, albeit a quick one.
Nope. The hatch is bolted from the outside. They can’t do anything from the inside and are utterly dependent on someone outside with a power socket wrench to unscrew each of the 17 bolts holding the hatch on.
I wouldn’t be surprised. But, I suspect there’s also a factor of just implausibility. Apparently, the main vessel they use is “experimental”, so it may just literally be impossible to have a recovery vessel without being a literal government.
My money’s on this being the result of someone ignoring the “hey, these are not good conditions” warnings.
Not just ‘experimental’. This thing looks like something you’d find on a backyard engineering website. Some of it’s functionality is accessed with an offbrand video game controller.
CBS interview featuring the submersible.
The bit with the contract is @ 2:40:
There was some speculation the pressure vessel could have imploded, due to it being made out of thick fiber glass, which is like glass wherein any tiny imperfection under pressure can cause the entire vessel to break. This is why other pressure vessels are made out of stainless steel, they’re easier to inspect.
If the vessel didn’t implode, there’s a decent chance it’s floating on the surface, but lost. This is because the ballast for these subs is heavy metal attached via electromagnet. Should anything go wrong, the magnets can be disengaged, and the sub with resurface.
Here’s hoping it’s lost and can be found, imploding is a horrifying way to go, albeit a quick one.
I think I’d rather implode and go instantly, than be floating on the surface for 4 days and unable to get out while slowly suffocating.
Neither is my idea of a good time…
Can they not open a hatch if it’s on the surface?
Water would be a problem still, but not suffocation, if so.
Nope. The hatch is bolted from the outside. They can’t do anything from the inside and are utterly dependent on someone outside with a power socket wrench to unscrew each of the 17 bolts holding the hatch on.
There are some design flaws with this thing.