ATLANTIC

Researchers plan manned 2018 expedition to Titanic

The Associated Press Published Monday, March 20, 2017 7:56AM ADT

This undated photo provided by Ralph White shows the bow of the Titanic at rest on the bottom of the North Atlantic, about 400 miles southeast of Newfoundland. (AP Photo/Ralph White)

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WOODS HOLE, Mass. - Researchers are planning what they say is the first manned submersible expedition to the Titanic since 2005.

OceanGate Expeditions recently announced that the seven-week research mission will depart from Newfoundland, Canada, in May 2018.

Experts from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts are also taking part.

Everett, Washington-based OceanGate says the goal of the mission is to assess the condition of the wreck and document -- but not collect -- artifacts at the protected site.

Experts from Woods Hole say they hope to generate a 3D photographic model of the wreck using modern subsea imaging technology.

The doomed British luxury liner sank on April 15, 1912, after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, killing more than 1,500 people.