How missing superyacht passengers could surivve in an air pocket

Experts say passengers of the Bayesian could be alive in air pockets on sunken ship.

Air pockets are formed in sinking ships as water fills up the hull and pushes air up towards the surface.

Provided that the air pocket is large enough, a trapped passenger might be able to float or stand in their cabin with enough air to breathe for several days .

Rescuers are using specially made jacks to smash through a 3cm -thick porthole to gain access to the hull of the 30 million Bayesian superyacht.

Dr Watts compares the conditions of the passenger's body to a bottle of Coke .

The liquid in the bottle is saturated with dissolved gas, but since it is pressurised you can't see any bubbles.

In the case of the Nigerian chef, rescue crews brought the survivor to a diving bell typically used by commercial divers to live for days at a time at extreme depths.

This would be a very risky operation requiring expert divers and specialised equipment usually only operated in areas like the North Sea .