The submersible that has gone missing while on an expedition to see the wreckage of the Titanic has come under scrutiny from social media users - after it appears to be operated by what looks like a games console controller.
The expedition began on Sunday morning, as two crew members and three passengers - who each paid $250,000 for their place on the vessel - intended to journey to the wreckage of the Titanic.
The Titanic sank in 1912, and since then it has become the subject of great intrigue, including becoming the subject of a major motion picture starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.
The wreckage is situated at around 12,500 feet below surface level, thus meaning that it takes the submersible around two hours to reach it.
The expedition is operated by OceanGate, and the submersible is named Titan. However, the way the submersible is operated has raised eyebrows online.
As previously reported, the dimensions of the vessel which is intended for five people measure 263 inches x 110 inches x 98 inches.
As reported by BBC News, at the front of the Titan is a domed porthole to give those onboard a view of the wreckage, which the company describes as the "largest viewport of any deep-sea manned submersible".
Also onboard is a toilet for the passengers, though they are advised to restrict their diet before the journey to minimize the need for it.
For those who use the facilities, a small curtain is drawn and the pilot turns on some music to give a sense of privacy.
Wall-mounted lamps are the only source of light on board, and the walls are heated to combat the cold temperatures of deep-sea diving.
As well as only holding 96 hours of oxygen, there are several 4k cameras and monitors so those onboard can view the Titanic from all angles.
To operate the vessel, the pilot uses GPS to a certain depth, followed by being guided by texts exchanged via a USBL (ultra-short baseline) acoustic system from the vessel that remains at the surface. In a resurfaced video - originally filmed as part of a BBC report - an OceanGate official tells the reporter says: "We run the sub with this game controller," before holding up a modified Logitech F710 gaming controller.
He adds: "It's basically a Sony PlayStation-style controller".
"If you want to go forward, you press forward. If you want to go back, you press back," he says, while demonstrating
After being shared by CNN on Twitter and by BBC News on TikTok, social media users have criticized using such a device to "run the sub".
Dik Barton, a businessman and guest lecturer at Sunderland University, who has completed 22 dives to the wreckage of the Titanic believes that the vessel has either lost power or the depth has compromised its structural integrity, as per Sky News.
The pilot of the Titan, who has since been named as Paul-Henry Nargeolet, is said to be very experienced in deep-sea dives.
Barton said: "He is the kind of man who will keep them calm, but it's not easy in a tube at the bottom of the ocean. It's tragic. He is an extraordinary explorer and an incredible individual and he knows the wreck better than anybody I know."
The US Coast Guard is leading the search for the vessel, as aid from across the world pours in, with an estimated 10,000 square miles having been searched already, as reported by Sky News.
Our thoughts remain with all those on board and their loved ones.
