The new advanced sub can reportedly dive up to 4,000 meters (200 meters more than the depth at which the Titanic shipwreck is located|NOAA
An Ohio luxury real estate billionaire, Larry Connor, plans to take a submersible to the depths of the Titanic shipwreck soon. He wants to show people that while the ocean “is extremely powerful, it can be wonderful and enjoyable” if done the right way, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
Connor, 74, contacted Florida-based sub manufacturer Triton Submarines shortly after the Titan implosion to design a custom vessel to explore the Titanic shipwreck. The result was Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer, worth $20 million. It can dive up to 4,000 meters (200 meters more than the depth at which the Titanic wreck is located).
The new advanced sub is based on Triton’s existing Abyssal Explorer model.
Connor and Triton CEO Patrick Lahey will make the trip, but a date hasn’t been announced yet.
The billionaire hopes the mission will restore public confidence in submersible exploration after the OceanGate disaster, which has affected private submarine orders. Triton and its Dutch competitor, U-Boat Worx, saw a slowdown in orders last year.
Connor isn’t the only wealthy person interested in the Titanic. Australian mining billionaire Clive Palmer plans to build ‘Titanic II,’ a replica of the 1912 luxury liner that can accommodate around 2,000 passengers. It is expected to set sail in June 2027.