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.
Nope. The hatch is bolted from the outside. They can’t do anything from the inside and are utterly dependent on someone outside with a power socket wrench to unscrew each of the 17 bolts holding the hatch on.
According to the CEO the whole business isn’t even profitable. They spent over a million on gas alone. At least this jerryrigged contraption sinking is the most effective way for their company to stop shitting up the atmosphere over the whims of a few rich people.
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.
Nope. The hatch is bolted from the outside. They can’t do anything from the inside and are utterly dependent on someone outside with a power socket wrench to unscrew each of the 17 bolts holding the hatch on.
There are some design flaws with this thing.
Nope, the ends are bolted on from the outside before they depart.
And their navigation is dependent on text messages from the support ship they charter. Oh, dear.
According to the CEO the whole business isn’t even profitable. They spent over a million on gas alone. At least this jerryrigged contraption sinking is the most effective way for their company to stop shitting up the atmosphere over the whims of a few rich people.