Overview
- A Royal Canadian Geographical Society–led team used ROVs and a three-person Alvin submersible to reach the wreck about 390–400 metres below the Labrador Sea, with the first in-person views recorded during Tuesday’s dives.
- Researchers identified the wreck as Quest by matching distinctive features such as two portholes below the bridge to historic photographs.
- Imagery shows the ship upright on the seafloor but heavily encrusted with pink corals and sea life, and portions of the hull and deck torn from its 1962 sinking after crushing by ice.
- Expedition scientists documented multiple stray fishing nets draped over the wreck that they say have likely caused additional damage and that also limited close access for the submersible.
- The team is producing a high-resolution photogrammetric 3D ‘digital twin’ of Quest using Voyis/WHOI imaging systems, and will next head toward Greenland to survey the Terra Nova while highlighting site protection and public outreach efforts.