Stephen McGinty - The World's Deepest Submarine Rescue | Modern Wisdom Podcast 351

TL;DR

The incredible story of a submarine rescue in 1973, where two men were trapped at the bottom of the ocean and had to wait for two days to be rescued.

Transcript

try and imagine that you're in a phone box next to the empire state building and then the atlantic ocean sweeps in then all the lights go out then you start bleeding oxygen then you know that rescue is at least two days away and what you've got to do is preserve your oxygen as long as you can stephen mcginty welcome to the show thanks for having me... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤲 The Pisces III submarine sank to the bottom of the ocean after a rope connecting it to the surface vessel got tangled and flooded the back of the submarine.
• 👨‍⚕️ The trapped men had to endure two days of limited oxygen and uncertainty while multiple rescue teams worked tirelessly to save them.
• 🧖‍♂️ The successful rescue was a result of international collaboration and the perseverance of the trapped men and the rescue teams.
• 🫥 The story highlights the bravery and resourcefulness of submariners and the risks they face in their line of work.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the mini-submarine Pisces III end up sinking to the bottom of the ocean?

As the Pisces III was being towed back to the surface, the rope connecting it to the surface vessel got tangled and caused the back of the submarine to flood with water, making it sink to the ocean floor.

Q: How long were the two men trapped at the bottom of the ocean?

They were trapped for approximately two days, during which they had to conserve their oxygen and wait for the rescue teams to reach them.

Q: Were there any close calls or dangerous situations during the rescue operation?

Yes, the rescue operation faced numerous complications, including ropes breaking, malfunctioning equipment, and difficult weather conditions. However, the dedicated rescue teams persevered and eventually succeeded in saving the men.

Q: What were the key factors that contributed to the successful rescue?

The successful rescue was due to the collaboration and efforts of multiple rescue teams from different countries, who brought their specialized equipment and expertise to the operation. The determination and resilience of the trapped men also played a crucial role.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 1973, while trying to lay a new cable in the Atlantic Ocean, a mini-submarine called Pisces III experienced a catastrophic failure and sank to the bottom of the ocean.

• The two men inside, Roger Chapman and Roger Mallinson, were stranded at a depth of 1,700 feet with limited oxygen and no way to communicate with the surface.

• A massive international rescue operation involving submarines from Canada, the United States, and the North Sea was launched, and after multiple attempts, the men were successfully lifted to the surface and rescued.