So, in the live feed the BBC has going, there’s a post suggesting that a group of explorers were apparently on board based on one of them’s Facebook feed, so it’s safe to say they probably had the full passenger set on there.
One of the other posts in the feed makes it sound like they only do it a handful of times a year, and that cost is covering a multi-day excursion since they have to wait for conditions to be right. Still, no excuse to not have contingencies, but I think their take gets eaten into a fair bit more than the raw math would suggest.
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.
At least you can’t say they didn’t know what they were getting into. Still an awful way to go, if it did implode at depth, at least it’d be quick.
So, in the live feed the BBC has going, there’s a post suggesting that a group of explorers were apparently on board based on one of them’s Facebook feed, so it’s safe to say they probably had the full passenger set on there.
Which means they gross $750,000 per 8 hour trip. They should have a recovery vessel at those prices.
One of the other posts in the feed makes it sound like they only do it a handful of times a year, and that cost is covering a multi-day excursion since they have to wait for conditions to be right. Still, no excuse to not have contingencies, but I think their take gets eaten into a fair bit more than the raw math would suggest.
I wager they don’t have a recovery vessel because they have people sign contracts only allowing arbitration.
The CBS guy read aloud part of the thing he had to sign when he rode on it.
And the video is horrifying on so many levels…
“Everything else can fail. Your thrusters can go, your lights can go and you’ll be safe.”***********
Aged like milk.
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:
At least you can’t say they didn’t know what they were getting into. Still an awful way to go, if it did implode at depth, at least it’d be quick.
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.
And their navigation is dependent on text messages from the support ship they charter. Oh, dear.
Really a stretch to call these people ‘explorers’. Apparently one of them made their billions hawking private jets. Sucks to be him…
comrade depths of the ocean
The BBC live stream said “one pilot and four mission operators” about 15 min ago.