MANITOWOC, Wis. — Some in Wisconsin think the Titan submersible incident will affect underwater expeditions in Lake Michigan.
Kevin Cullen shows a remotely operated vehicle or ROV that can explore the depths of the lake. He is a chief curator at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc.
“We are sitting on the doorstep of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary,” Cullen said. “So, this area is known for its shipwrecks, so certainly exploration of those shipwrecks really since the 1960s.”
Cullen believes the incident shows how far adventure tourism has come and how far it needs to go.
“They were testing and taking fate into their hands to a certain degree trusting technology would save their lives, but we are realizing perhaps there needs to be a bit more regulation around how these vessels are actually deployed and who gets access to these incredibly tragic shipwreck sites like the Titanic,” he said.
He thinks it will also give people pause before taking submersibles into Lake Michigan.
However, Cullen points out the Wisconsin Maritime Museum can talk with people about the type of technology it takes to explore the depths of these places.
“You don’t necessarily have to physically be on the wreck. You can have a piece of equipment that’s right below your feet on that boat you are floating on looking at that shipwreck in real time and for most people, that is probably their comfort level,” said Cullen.
Anthony Gallegos is a lieutenant with the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. Gallegos explained the submersible incident reinforces the need to make sure you are prepared for your chosen way that you experience the lake, whether it be swimming, boating or diving.
“Tell someone, we are going into this area and this is the time that we are going at, this is the time we are going to be back and you can even call into coast guard and let them know we are going to be doing diving in this area and that way we can tell you, that’s a commercial trafficked area. We don’t advise that or thank you for letting us know and now we have that information,” said Gallegos.
For Cullen, it is important that people continue exploring the depths of the waterways, because humans have been on the water for as long as we have been a species. He said these stories can connect us to our roots.
“Those shipwrecks are still out there and for us to be able to interpret that and realize that we are part of this global network of transient people that are traveling across waters and you have to take into account, this is a treacherous area,” he said. “Knowing that you are up against Mother Nature in what can be some of the harshest environments on earth.”
Cullen believes that’s why if people want to explore these ships, they should do so in the safest conditions. That’s the only way to make sure everyone gets home safely.
Viking Cruises also issued the following statement:
“Viking’s piloted submarines feature a multitude of safety systems and built-in redundancies in case of failures. They take guests on dives of less than one hour, and never deeper than 300 meters. The training our Submarine Pilots and Surface Officers receive exceeds all recommended industry standards, and regular safety drills anticipating every possible emergency situation ensure that each dive is conducted under the most stringent of safety conditions. Each one of our four submarines has been certified by DNV, one of the world’s leading maritime classification bodies and each of our two Expedition ships carries equipment on board for the very unlikely event that recovery of a submersible from under water should be necessary.”