Titanic dive: Billionaire Larry Connor's bid to redeem ocean tourism

In June 2023, the world was shocked by the catastrophe of the Titan submersible, whose five-person crew perished while attempting to reach the Titanic wreck. The tragedy sparked criticism against the expedition’s organizer, OceanGate, accusing them of unprofessionalism and inadequate mission preparation.

The Titan submersible had a hull made of carbon composites and was theoretically designed for dives to nearly 4,000 metres. However, its construction had weak points, such as a viewport made from material certified only to a depth of 1,300 metres. Additionally, the technology used for the Titan’s outer shell was far from ideal, and only 14 percent of previous attempts to submerge the vehicle succeeded.

The remnants of the submersible were found about 500 metres from the Titanic’s bow, and the implosion occurred 105 minutes after the dive began at a depth of about 3,500 metres. Rather than serving as a warning, the history of this tragic expedition became an inspiration for another two billionaires - Larry Connor and Patrick Lahey.

The two billionaires mentioned decided to prove that commercial expeditions to the Titanic wreck are feasible if earlier mistakes are avoided. To this end, they plan to descend to the Atlantic’s bottom in 2026 in a two-person submersible, the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer, which, according to the manufacturer, Triton Submarines, is set to be unrivalled in its class.

The company emphasises that the challenge lies in constructing a submersible capable of reaching the Titanic wreck and creating a vehicle that permits mass commercial tours, ensuring a high level of travel comfort.

Triton Submarines has extensive experience building underwater tourism vehicles and respects the extreme conditions present at nearly 4,000 metres where the Titanic rests.

The manufacturer already boasts some successes, including a two-person submersible, the Triton 36000/2, which can reach the greatest depths on Earth. A few years ago, it was used to film the Titanic wreck in 4K resolution.

Compared to the Titan's old-fashioned appearance, the Triton 4000/2 Abyssal Explorer resembles a futuristic spacecraft. It features a spherical acrylic cabin that can accommodate two people. It also has wings that fold during descent and ascent and unfold to facilitate manoeuvring. This design also ensures more accessible transport and storage of the submersible.

Larry Connor, who has visited the Mariana Trench and the International Space Station, knows the risks associated with such expeditions. He compares the journey to the ocean’s bottom to space travel, emphasising that both endeavours present immense challenges. In the first instance, the main problem is extreme conditions, while in the second, it is the need to overcome Earth’s gravity.

In an interview with "The Wall Street Journal," Connor expressed hope that he can show people worldwide that the ocean, despite its power, can be a source of wonderful and joyous experiences if approached with proper caution.