German adventurer Arthur Loibl, who explored the Titanic wreckage on the same submersible that disappeared, has labeled the voyage a “suicide mission.”
Arthur Loibl
“I was incredibly lucky back then.”
He undertook the perilous underwater odyssey in August 2021, diving down over 12,000 meters to the famous wreck in the now infamous Titan submersible.
Also along for the descent, which cost Loibl nearly $110,000, were French Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 73 and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, 61, CEO and founder of the submarine company OceanGate.
They and three other passengers are currently trapped aboard the missing vessel, which is possibly located as deep as 12,500 feet down off the coast of Canada.
Arthur Loibl
“It was a suicide mission back then! The first submarine didn’t work, then a dive at 1,600 meters had to be abandoned.”
Loibl explained that they ended up launching five hours late due to electrical issues — which he suspects is to blame for the Titan crews’ current predicament.
Not only that but right before the voyage, the bracket of the stabilization tube — which balances the sub — tore and had to be “reattached with zip ties,” he said.
Arthur Loibl
“You need strong nerves, you mustn’t be claustrophobic and you have to be able to sit cross-legged for ten hours,”
However, out of all the daredevil’s adventures — flying over Russia in a MiG-29 fighter planeand visiting both the North and South Poles — Loibl says the Titan expeditions were “the most extreme.”
As such, he is praying for the safe return of all parties aboard the sunken sub.
Arthur Loibl
“It must be hell down there. There’s only 2.50 meters of space, it’s four degrees, there’s no chair, no toilet,” Loibl described.
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