‘You know what you’re getting into’: Man who took trip on now-missing submersible shares experience
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By KIRO 7 News Staff
The clock is winding down to rescue five people on a submersible that disappeared deep into the North Atlantic during a trip to see the ruins of the Titanic.
The submersible “Titan” is made by the Everett-based company, OceanGate Expeditions.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the vessel was carrying five people -- a pilot and four passengers -- when it went out on Sunday morning, losing contact roughly an hour and 45 minutes into its dive 900 miles east of Cape Cod.
Simpsons writer Mike Reiss said he was on the Titan 11 months ago with his wife. They took the same trip to the Titanic.
We spoke to him about his experience and thoughts on the current situation.
“So, it was a friend who lives in Everett that wrote to us and says, ‘I heard about something that sounds right up your alley. This guy in Seattle is building his own sub,’” said Reiss.
He said they took dives with the company prior to their adventure.
“So then we knew he was doing this Titanic dive and we signed up for it.”
Reiss said once the Titan reached the Titanic, they were pressed for time.
“It was a real struggle to get to the Titanic. Our time was very, very short because on top of the danger of being two and a half miles down, there was a hurricane coming down at sea level,” said Reiss. “We really had this tight window. You sort of land at the bottom of the ocean and then go ‘all right, where’s the Titanic?’ We know it’s around here somewhere.”
They were able to take about 20 minutes’ worth of photos while on the voyage. He shared some of them with us.
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
Man shares 2022 trip on missing submersible 'Titan' Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible "Titan" in 2022. (Mike Reiss)
OceanGate, Company of Missing Submersible, Based In Everett, Washington EVERETT, WASHINGTON - JUNE 21: The OceanGate logo is seen on equipment stored near the OceanGate offices on June 21, 2023 in Everett, Washington. OceanGate, owner of the missing submersible carrying five people trying to visit the Titanic wreckage in the North Atlantic, operates out of Everett. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
OceanGate, Company of Missing Submersible, Based In Everett, Washington EVERETT, WASHINGTON - JUNE 21: The OceanGate logo is seen on a vehicle stored near their offices on June 21, 2023 in Everett, Washington. OceanGate, owner of the missing submersible carrying five people trying to visit the Titanic wreckage in the North Atlantic, operates out of Everett. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Titanic Auction Preview NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 05: A scale model of the RMS Titanic on display at the Titanic Auction preview at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on January 5, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
A wallet at Titanic Artifact Exhibit LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: A wallet is seen at "The Titanic Artifact Exhibit" at the California Science Center on October 22, 2002 in Los Angeles, California. The show begins February 9th 2002. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images) (Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 6: An artifact from the Titanic is on display at "TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit" at the California Science Center on February 6, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition opens February 9, 2003. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images) (Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
US Silver Certificate at Titanic Artifact Exhibit LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: A US Silver Certificate Abraham Lincoln, One dollar bill is seen at "The Titanic Artifact Exhibit" at the California Science Center on October 22, 2002 in Los Angeles, California. The show begins February 9th 2002. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images) (Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
Titanic Auction Preview NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 05: A view of an artifact recovered from the wreck site of the RMS Titanic on display at the Titanic Auction preview at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on January 5, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Titanic Artifacts Go On Display In San Francisco SAN FRANCISCO - JUNE 6: A pair of glasses is displayed in the Titanic: Aritifact Exhibition at the Metreon on June 6, 2006 in San Francisco, California. The exhibition opens on June 10, 2006 and will feature more than 300 authentic artifacts that have been recovered from Titanic's debris field. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images) (David Paul Morris/Getty Images)
TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 6: A logometer from the Titanic is on display at "TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit" at the California Science Center on February 6, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition opens February 9, 2003. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images) (Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
Artifacts From The Titanic Previewed Before Being Auctioned NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 05: A logometer used to measure the Titanic's speed is seen among artifacts recovered from the RMS Titanic wreck site at a press preview of a Titanic artifact auction at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on January 5, 2012 in New York City. On April 11, 2012, the 100th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Titanic, Guernsey's will auction the complete collection of more than 5,000 artifacts recovered from the Titanic wreck site. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 6: A binocular from the Titanic is on display at "TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit" at the California Science Center on February 6, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition opens February 9, 2003. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images) (Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
Artifacts From The Titanic Previewed Before Being Auctioned NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 05: A logometer used to determine the Titanic's speed is seen among artifacts recovered from the RMS Titanic wreck site at a press preview of a Titanic artifact auction at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on January 5, 2012 in New York City. On April 11, 2012, the 100th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Titanic, Guernsey's will auction the complete collection of more than 5,000 artifacts recovered from the Titanic wreck site. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Titanic Auction Preview NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 05: A view of an artifact recovered from the wreck site of the RMS Titanic on display at the Titanic Auction preview at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on January 5, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 6: A gold wristwatch from the Titanic is on display at "TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit" at the California Science Center on February 6, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition opens February 9, 2003. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images) (Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 6: Artifacts from the Titanic are on display at "TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit" at the California Science Center on February 6, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition opens February 9, 2003. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images) (Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
Titanic Auction Preview NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 05: A view of an artifact recovered from the wreck site of the RMS Titanic on display at the Titanic Auction preview at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on January 5, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 6: A wall telephone from the Titanic is on display at "TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit" at the California Science Center on February 6, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition opens February 9, 2003. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images) (Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
Titanic Survivor Life Preserver To Be Auctioned LONDON - APRIL 04: Letters from Titanic survivor Miss Mabel Francatelli are displayed as a Titanic life-preserver, which was worn by Miss Francatelli, is presented before going up for auction on April 4 2007 in London. The life-preserver is part of a Maritime sale of memorabilia from the 1912 disaster and is estimated to sale for 50,000 to 80,000 pounds. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 6: A hand miror from the Titanic is on display at "TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit" at the California Science Center on February 6, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition opens February 9, 2003. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images) (Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 6: Artifacts from the Titanic are on display at "TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit" at the California Science Center on February 6, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition opens February 9, 2003. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images) (Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 6: Artifacts from the Titanic are on display at "TITANIC The Artifact Exhibit" at the California Science Center on February 6, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition opens February 9, 2003. (Photo by Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images) (Michel Boutefeu/Getty Images)
Reiss said he does a podcast, called “What am I doing here?” about his travels and has done one about this specific expedition.
“As I was rereading just 11 months ago in this very same sub, and I see over and over on every dive we took they lost communication. Which is just one of the problems with this thing,” said Reiss.
That being said, Reiss said that anyone aboard the Titan was aware of the dangers before taking the trip.
“I am sure that the world is very worried and that kind of thing, but something to know having gone through it is that you know going in how very dangerous this is.”
“So, before you even go on you sign this long, long waiver that mentions possible death three times on the first page. So… you know what you’re getting into.”
That includes Reiss and his wife.
“In fact, when I stepped onto it, I just knew in a part of my mind was going, ‘Welp, this could be the end.’”
He said the crew members with the company are very nice people and he hopes everyone is OK.
“It’s a very creepy feeling to think that if they’re alive down at the bottom of the ocean or something like that, and just knowing that, I don’t think there is a way to get them out of this situation like that, said Reiss. “And they’ll just be sitting there for three or four days before the oxygen runs out. It’s a very, very scary thought.”
“Everyone’s hoping and praying. I just go… I know having been in this situation… it’s very difficult. You know, I’m hoping, too.”
“It’s not any bad or reflection on Stockton Rush. It’s his company and he designed it, but it’s just we are all part of this ongoing experiment,” said Reiss.