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All eyes are on Jersey this afternoon after a US Air Force jet landed to collect deep-sea search equipment to be used in the hunt for the missing Titan submersible.
Express finds out how the operation has unfolded so far…
After taking off from Ramstein in Germany this morning, a Globemaster – a large US Air Force transport jet – touched down in Jersey Airport around 05:15 to collect a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) owned by Magellan, a Channel Islands-based company which had previously been involved in producing images of the Titanic wreck.
The ROV was awaiting approval to leave Jersey to join the rescue effort for a submersible that went missing in the Atlantic earlier this week, but the US government reportedly issue stopped the plan from going ahead at that time.
This morning, the Globemaster touched down, and two more jets are expected to follow this afternoon.
Head of Operations Alistair Varrie, who has been assisting with the operation since 01:40 this morning, told Express how efforts to get the equipment have unfolded so far.
"We got asked on Monday night whether we would be able to facilitate this kind of aircraft if we would potentially be able to do it. Then it was, 'Yes, it's happening, no it's not happening'. So this plan has been in place since Tuesday," he said.
"I've been up since 1:40 this morning. When we got the call we needed to look at aircraft type – how do we move it round the airfield safely without damaging infrastructure or impacting the day-to-day operations?
"The aircraft is too big to park on any of the stands we've got, so we had to find a location where we could put it that could take the aircraft's weight... What do we have on-island that could lift the weight of equipment? We didn't have anything, so we had to liaise with the Air Force and they advised they were going to bring kit in, then it was just teeing up the Fire Service."
As well as helping with key operations, the Jersey Fire and Rescue crew were also praised for providing bacon rolls for the Air Force team, Mr Varrie said.
Despite the significant aircraft landing at the Airport at short notice, no inbound or outbound passenger flights have been affected.
Mr Varrie explained that two more aircraft are due to arrive. A team of four or five Magellan staff are expected to travel over to join the main Titan sub rescue team.
"The first aircraft is taking the ROV, the second aircraft is taking additional equipment, and the third is loading equipment," Mr Varrie explained.
"...We were on stand-by, we had everything planned and then it was decided no it's not going to happen so we stood down. Then we were stood back up again... Last night, we got a call late after the Airport closed to say it's happening in the early hours of this morning.
"...There have been a lot of moving parts, but it's quite cool to see it all come together."
Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae is also on site, and has been liaising with the Force and Magellan, alongside the Chief Officer of the Bailiff's Chambers.
The vital piece of equipment is known as the 'Argus Worker XL'.
The rescue equipment was stored at the company's base in Jersey, and includes a specialised winch with a 7,000m synthetic rope which is designed for deep water operations.
Pictured: Information on the ROV on Magellan's website.
You can find out more about it here.
The submersible 'Titan' is operated by privately held company OceanGate and was taking passengers to visit the shipwreck of the Titanic when it lost contact with tour operators on Sunday morning with five people aboard –including British billionaire, Hamish Harding.
The vessel, which was understood to have an oxygen supply of around 96 hours, went missing an hour-and-a-half into its dive and a multinational rescue mission has been launched involving teams from US and Canadian Coast Guard services and private vessels.
Pictured: Images of the Titanic wreck previously taken by Magellan.
Oxygen supplies on board the submersible are now feared to be running dangerously low – or indeed have been exhausted.
Magellan shared its gratitude for those who have helped with the effort so far on its website today in a statement:
"Magellan would like to thank Unified Command, USAF, USCG and UK RAF for their ongoing involvement to mobilise our equipment teams to St John.
"Magellan would also like to acknowledge and thank the States of Jersey and States of Guernsey, along with Ports of Jersey and Channel Seaways for their round the clock support and help to make the military airlift possible.
"Our thoughts, prayers, and hopes remain with those on board the submersible, as well as with their families and loved ones."
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