Chilling animation shows how deep missing Titanic sub could be as rescuers probe ‘banging noises’ in race to find crew

A CHILLING animation has shown how deep the missing Titanic submersible could be as search teams race against time. The informational clip comes as rescuers launched a probe into “banging noises” that could help locate the missing crew of five. MetaBallStudiosThe animation takes viewers from sea level to the depths of the ocean[/caption] MetaBallStudiosThe RMS Titanic shipwreck is pictured at around 12,000ft[/caption] MetaBallStudiosThe video used iconic landmarks to compare just how deep the missing crew could be[/caption] The SunJamie Frederick, a US Coast Guard Captain, said rescue teams remained ‘optimistic’[/caption] The video, made by Spanish animation company MetBallStudios, takes viewers through the depths of the ocean in a cartoon version. The footage marks out major lakes, seas and shipwrecks to compare just how deep the missing crew could be. Multiple landmarks are also depicted in the water, including the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and Burj Khalifa. Eventually, viewers are taken to a depth of 12,000ft – the bottom of the North Atlantic, where the remains of the Titanic are found. The horrifying analysis comes after a panel of experts, heading the investigation, fronted a press pack with an update on the search this evening. Jamie Frederick, a US Coast Guard Captain, told reporters they had to remain “optimistic”. He said: “There is an enormous complexity associated with this case, due to the location being so far off shore and the coordination between multiple agencies and nations. “There were multiple reports of noises and every one of them is being analysed. “The noises have been described as banging noises.” However, so far, Captain Frederick said the ROV searches have yielded negative results. He said: “The noises were heard yesterday and this morning, experts are analysing the data but at the moment it is inconclusive. “We need to have hope… what I can tell you is we are searching in the right area.” Captain Frederick said it was an extremely difficult time for the families involved. He said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to them. “We are working tirelessly. “There are currently five service assets in the search and that will increase to ten in the next 24 to 48 hours.” Carl Hartsfield, another expert involved in the search, told reporters it was very tough to discern what the noises were. He said: “We have multiple sensors in the area taking the data back to the best people in the world and feeding this back to the team so they can make decisions. “They have to eliminate potential manmade sources other than the Titanic.” However, a robot thought to be the missing submersible’s last hope of rescue is being scrambled to the scene as time runs out to save the five trapped on board. Frantic search teams now have less than 24 hours to save the stricken sub before its oxygen supply runs out. The French ship, Atalante, carrying the only underwater vehicle thought to be capable to winching the vessel to safety is racing to the scene in the North Atlantic. But the boat is not expected to reach the area until midnight tonight (UK time) – just 12 hours before the crew’s oxygen supply is due to run out at midday on Thursday. On board the ship is Victor 6000, a robot able to dive 20,000ft underwater. It’s hoped, accompanied by a US crane ship, the device will be able to help find the sub – called Titan – that vanished on Sunday as it descended to the Titanic wreck 12,500ft below. The unnamed robot can dive deeper than other equipment at the site. It also has arms that can be remotely controlled to cut cables or perform other manoevres to release a stuck vessel, the operator said. Olivier Lefort, the head of naval operations at Ifremer, the state-run French ocean research institute which operates the robot, said: “Victor is not capable of lifting the submarine up on its own.” But he said the robot could help hook the 10-tonne submersible called Titan to a ship with the capacity to lift it to the surface. To successfully rescue the sub, its location would have to be detected by a sonar gear before Victor 6000 plunges down to it with a cable attached to the US Navy crane ship, Horizon Arctic. Then, the robot would attach cables to the sub before the crane hauls the vessel to the surface. Mr Lefort added: “Victor is able to do visual exploration with all the video equipment it has. “It is also equipped with manipulating arms which could be used to extricate the sub, such as by sectioning cables or things that would be blocking it at the bottom.” Communication was lost with the £200,000-a-head voyage just 1 hour 45 minutes into its 12,500ft descent to the ruins of the Titanic on Sunday. The sub – called Titan – was due to resurface that afternoon but failed to do so, sparking a frantic rescue mission. But the vessel plunged with a 96-hour oxygen supply – meaning the five crew members on board likely have less than 20 hours of breathable air left. ReutersVictor 6000 is a robot able to dive 20,000ft underwater[/caption] The crew had signed up for a $250k (£195k) excursion to dive down and see the wreckage of The Titanic