US Billionaire and Deep-Sea Explorer Plan Submersible Voyage to Titanic Wreck

Ohio tycoon Larry Connor and Triton Submarines co-founder Patrick Lahey announce plans for a deep-sea expedition to the Titanic wreck, hoping to revive interest in private submersible exploration after last year's OceanGate disaster.

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May 30, 2024 - 08:40

US Billionaire and Deep-Sea Explorer Plan Submersible Voyage to Titanic Wreck

Ohio tycoon and adventurer Larry Connor and Patrick Lahey, co-founder of Triton Submarines, have announced their intention to explore the Titanic wreck in a submersible. The duo aims to descend to a depth of approximately 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) in the North Atlantic Ocean to view the historic shipwreck.

The private submersible industry faced a significant setback after the tragic implosion of OceanGate's vessel last year, which resulted in the deaths of five people. Despite this, Connor and Lahey are determined to proceed with their mission, provided their submersible, the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer, receives full certification from a marine organization.

The Connor Group Businessman Larry Connor and Patrick Lahey, co-founder of Triton Submarines, looking through a portal — Businessman Larry Connor (l) and Patrick Lahey, co-founder of Triton Submarines. (The Conner Group)

The OceanGate disaster, which occurred in June 2023, saw the loss of OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and four other passengers. Their submersible, Titan, constructed from carbon fiber, was only certified for depths up to 1,300 meters, far shallower than the Titanic's resting place. Investigations by US and Canadian authorities into the incident are ongoing, highlighting previous warnings about the vessel's safety that were ignored by Rush.

Connor and Lahey's proposed expedition aims to show the world that ocean exploration can be safe and transformative if conducted properly. "I want to show people worldwide that while the ocean is extremely powerful, it can be wonderful and enjoyable and really kind of life-changing if you go about it the right way," Connor told the Wall Street Journal.

Triton Submarines/The Connor Group An illustration depicting the Triton sub that the explorers plan to use — An illustration depicting the Triton sub that the explorers plan to use. Triton Submarines/The Connor Group

The private submersible industry hopes to recover from the chilling effect on interest following the Titan disaster. OceanGate has since suspended operations, and other companies have reported declining sales and canceled orders. "This tragedy had a chilling effect on people’s interest in these vehicles," Lahey commented.

Larry Connor, who also flew to the International Space Station in 2022, leads The Connor Group, a real estate investment firm based near Dayton, Ohio. Together with Lahey, who co-founded Triton Submarines in 2008, they previously explored the Challenger Deep and the Sirena Deep in the Mariana Trench in 2021, reaching nearly 36,000 feet, the deepest point on Earth’s seabed.

Getty A rocket launch - Mr Connor also paid to fly to the International Space Station in 2022 — Mr Connor also paid to fly to the International Space Station in 2022

The pair's upcoming voyage to the Titanic aims to reignite interest in deep-sea exploration, demonstrating that with proper safety measures, such adventures can continue to inspire and educate.

Triton Submarines has been contacted for further comment on the expedition.

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