• woteorin@beehaw.org
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      1 year ago

      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.

      • misguidedfunk@beehaw.org
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        1 year ago

        I wager they don’t have a recovery vessel because they have people sign contracts only allowing arbitration.

        • StringTheory@beehaw.org
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          1 year ago

          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…

        • woteorin@beehaw.org
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          1 year ago

          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.

            • jellyfish@beehaw.org
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              1 year ago

              The bit with the contract is @ 2:40:

              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.

              There was some speculation the pressure vessel could have imploded, due to it being made out of thick fiber glass, which is like glass wherein any tiny imperfection under pressure can cause the entire vessel to break. This is why other pressure vessels are made out of stainless steel, they’re easier to inspect.

              If the vessel didn’t implode, there’s a decent chance it’s floating on the surface, but lost. This is because the ballast for these subs is heavy metal attached via electromagnet. Should anything go wrong, the magnets can be disengaged, and the sub with resurface.

              Here’s hoping it’s lost and can be found, imploding is a horrifying way to go, albeit a quick one.

              • StringTheory@beehaw.org
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                1 year ago

                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…

                • Pigeon@beehaw.org
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                  1 year ago

                  Can they not open a hatch if it’s on the surface?

                  Water would be a problem still, but not suffocation, if so.

                  • StringTheory@beehaw.org
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                    1 year ago

                    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.

      • schzztl@beehaw.org
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        1 year ago

        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.