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Norfolk judge delays efforts to remove radio from Titanic

Titanic radio.jpg
Posted at 1:08 PM, Feb 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-21 00:15:18-05

NORFOLK, Va. – Efforts to remove an artifact from the historic Titanic are delayed once again.

Federal officials discussed whether to remove a Marconi radio from the sunken vessel.

It's the case of R.M.S. Titanic, Inc., etc. v. The Wrecked and Abandoned Vessel, etc.

The hearing happened Thursday afternoon at the federal court building in Norfolk. The company that has exclusive rights to the ship, RMS Titanic, Inc., wants to bring the radio to the surface.

They said the Macroni radio was used to call for help when the Titanic hit an iceberg in 1912.

The Titanic lies at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean near Newfoundland, Canada.

The issue is divers would have to de-construct the ship’s historic deck-house to access the “silent room” where the radio is located.

During the three-hour hearing, the judge told RMST they are not far along enough in their plans and that she needs more details before she can make a decision.

A lawsuit filed notes that RMST wants to remove the radio from the sunken vessel due to artifacts being threatened by the rapid deterioration of the wreck site.

An attorney for the company said the radio will provide educational and cultural benefits.

“What story does it tell about the heroism and the last voices and the rescue how we were able to at least have 700 survivors of the Titanic," attorney David Concannon.

There is no word on their next court date.