A submersible from Seabourn Cruises’ expedition ship Seabourn Pursuit made a historic discovery during a dive off the coast of Alejandro Selkirk Island in Chile. On October 14, 2024, the sub carrying guests aboard the ultra-luxury line’s newest purpose-built expedition ship, found the wreck of the Titania, a German supply ship lost for 110 years lying 95 meters below the surface.
The discovery of the Titania was made possible through the submarine team’s dedicated research and close coordination with local communities to provide guests with a truly unique experience.
Led by Submarine Pilot Mauricio Fernandez, the team – which includes Kieran Buckley, Henrik Enckell, and Isaac Yebra – worked with a local fisherman, Gino Perez, who had long heard stories about the Titania’s approximate location.
Perez joined the dive and helped guide the team toward the suspected site of the wreck. Under ideal weather conditions, the team discovered the Titania 95 meters deep, about four nautical miles off the northwest coast of Selkirk. After the discovery, the island’s harbor master confirmed that it’s the first sighting of the Titania since it sank in November, 1914.
Fernandez shared how the emotion in the submarine was palpable. “We were there witnessing history, and our guests had the chance to be a part of this discovery of Titania and the first to see this ship after she sank to the bottom of the ocean 110 years ago. This was truly a special moment of discovery and a perfect example of how Seabourn expeditions continue to provide our guests with incredible Seabourn Moments throughout each journey.”
“Experiences like these are a testament to the spirit of expedition, and this discovery is nothing short of historic,” said Robin West, vice- president and general manager of expeditions at Seabourn. “Seabourn’s expeditions and particularly our submarine explorations often take our guests to places where no other human has ever explored.”
Seabourn guests described the feeling when they saw Titania for the first time as “almost magical.” It was particularly emotional for Perez, who shared, “I imagined this ship so many times and now I can see where she is, how she looks like and how she is resting at the bottom. Thank you so much, my father manages this sector of the island, this means a lot to us and our family history. This is extraordinary.”
The discovery took place during one of Seabourn Pursuit’s South Pacific voyages which traversed more than 4,000 miles between Melanesia, French Polynesia and San Antonio, Chile.
Operated by highly trained pilots, Seabourn submarines are certified by Lloyd’s Register, with external annual inspections, utilizing the same standards by which Seabourn ships are rated and certified. The submarines are built with a multitude of safety design features, including a safety buoy and maximum diving depths of 300 meters (close to 1,000 feet), and there is a surface boat that remains near the submarines throughout each dive and is in constant communication with the submarine.
Seabourn Pursuit and its sister ship, Seabourn Venture, feature two custom-built, state-of-the-art submarines allowing unforgettable exploration beneath the surface. Submarine experiences are available for an additional charge and are offered on select itineraries, including Seabourn Pursuit’s South Pacific sailings between March and October, 2025.
What’s it like to explore in a Seabourn submersible? Click here to join The Cruisington Times’ Wallace Immen on an unforgetetable dive in the Arctic.
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