Elon Musk’s “kid-sized submarine,” designed specifically to help in rescue efforts for the 12 young boys trapped in a Thailand cave, was not used in coordination with the three-day rescue operation.
The billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla announced last week that he would be involving himself with the rescue, and created an underwater escape capsule for the children, using part of a Falcon 9 rocket, the Verge reported.
However, after Musk flew out to Thailand with the mini submarine, he was told by the head of the command center Narongsak Osatanakorn that although the help was appreciated the custom-built machine was not practical for the operation.
“Although his technology is good and sophisticated it’s not practical for this mission,” Osatanakorn told reporters.
Musk left the mini-submarine at the site and said it would be there if it is needed in the future.
“Just returned from Cave 3. Mini-sub is ready if needed,” Musk tweeted Monday. “It is made of rocket parts & named Wild Boar after kids’ soccer team. Leaving here in case it may be useful in the future. Thailand is so beautiful.”
Just returned from Cave 3. Mini-sub is ready if needed. It is made of rocket parts & named Wild Boar after kids’ soccer team. Leaving here in case it may be useful in the future. Thailand is so beautiful. pic.twitter.com/EHNh8ydaTT
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 9, 2018
The 12 boys, aged 11-16, and their 25-year-old soccer coach were all liberated from a flooded cave in northern Thailand between Sunday and Tuesday through the rescue efforts from a team of Thai Navy SEALs and foreign rescue divers.
