One of the biggest international news is the ongoing search for the missing submersible or submarine which went missing in the Atlantic Ocean near the Titanic accident scene. The submarine was on a tour of the Titanic wreckage and as of to date the submarine is left with 40 hours of oxygen supply.
A massive rescue operation is underway but had been delayed led by the US Coast Guard, Canada and France. We hope they will be able to rescue the submarine crew alive.
Rescue efforts hampered by foggy weather but fortunately the skies are clearing and the first task is to identify the location of the submarine. Other things being equal-this should be an easy process given the deployment of resources that include planes, ships, and drones. However given the expansive nature of the area of search-time could run out before the 40 hour oxygen supplies run out.
The main challenge becomes location of submarines in distress during bad weather conditions. Ideally signals from the submarines could help locate the submarine anchored 3 km below the sea level but it is not as easy hence the headline news coverage.
Proposed Solutions
In addition to existing tech advancement that helps in locating submarines in distress. An addition could be a floating chute or torpedo that shoots up to the surface in order to help rescue missions. A submarine in distress should shoot the chute up the sea water so that it can float on the ocean surface like a parachute. Additions such as fitting the chute with GPS module could help make search planes locate it faster and save lives! Take note that the chute is not for bringing cabin crew to the surface as that needs complicated operations. The chute more of a locator for search teams.
The chute tied to the submarine and is shot with torpedo power to the surface where it will become a floater which is easily viewed from the air with the GPS locator helping in speedy rescues.
Similarly the same innovation could be used on planes so that we will not a repeat of the Malaysian Plane Flight MH 370. The plane which mysteriously disappeared on March 8, 2014 has not been found to date.
Of course the author is from the accountancy profession and therefore no engineering background. Therefore basically an accountant delving into uncharted waters territory of submarines. But who knows–perhaps this could be a great contribution to the safety of cabin crew on submarines as well as curbing the repeat of Flight MH 370
