For the first time, 8K footage of the Titanic has been released, allowing viewers to see the iconic ship front and center.
OceanGate Expeditions, a deep-sea exploration company based in Washington, D.C., announced this one minute clip last week.
The camera pans over the ship as Sebastian Pangal’s “Grand Chopin Nocturne” plays mesmerizingly in the background. The Titanic’s famous bow is also prominent, as is the anchor, which consists of hooks weighing 200 pounds each, and a large anchor chain.
The footage was taken during OceanGate Expeditions’ 2022 Titanic Expedition, where diving experts Titanic historians and research scientists examine the wreckage and analyze images and data with members of the public who apply and reserve space to join.
“Unprecedented 8K footage” allows viewers to see never-before-seen details, OceanGate Expeditions said in a news release.
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“When comparing footage and images from 2021, we see slight changes in certain areas of the wreck,” said Stockton Rush, president of OceanGate Expeditions. “Our science team will review the 8K, 4K and other images captured during the Titanic Expedition in 2022 for any changes. Having experts on board the Titan submersible while we dive will help them assess the wreck through direct observation, guide them in examining various features of the wreck, and use the images to allows you to continue your research using it.”
8K video is a very high resolution – it contains 33 million pixels instead of the standard one 8 million.
One of the Titanic experts, Rory Golden, who accompanied the group during the Titanic explorations, noted details such as the name of anchor manufacturer Noah Hingley & Sons Ltd. on the ship’s portside anchorage.
“I’ve been studying the wreck for decades and have completed many dives, and I don’t recall seeing any other images that show this level of detail,” Golden said. “It’s interesting that after all these years, we’ve discovered a new detail that wasn’t so obvious with previous-generation camera technologies.”
The footage shows evidence of decay, according to the company. For example, some of the Titanic’s railings appear to have disintegrated and fallen away from the ship.
The company already has plans for the May 2023 expedition and said mission experts interested in joining or supporting should contact them.
Saleen Martin is a reporter for USA TODAY’s NOW team. He is from Norfolk, Virginia – 757 – and loves all things horror, witches, Christmas and food. Follow him on Twitter @Saleen_Martin or email him sdmartin@usatoday.com.
