the latest images from the RMS Titanic inqu expedition show a 15-t section of the Titanic's railing has fallen to the sea floor the photos also reveal that the ship's bow has crumbled and rusted away researchers believe the railing section collapsed in the past 2 years the Titanic is gradually being consumed by microbes these microbes form rust stalactites known as rusticles 3D scans from this latest Expedition show the section fell as a single piece earlier scans from a 2022 Expedition by mellin and Atlantic Productions revealed the railing was still attached but beginning to buckle Thomasina Ray director of collections at RMS Titanic inkage says it's just another reminder of the deterioration that's happening every day people ask all the time how long is Titanic going to be there we just don't know but we're watching it in real time she adds that the iconic bow once celebrated in pop culture no longer looks the same this Summer's expedition in July and August was RMS Titanic Ink's ninth visit to the site since 1987 two remotely operated Vehicles rovs captured over 2 million images and 24 hours of highdef footage of the wreck and its debris field more images will be released in the coming months the team aimed to document the W's condition identify artifacts and support ongoing conservation efforts the Titanic sank in April 1912 after hitting an iceberg claiming 1,500 lives the ship settled more than 3,800 MERS down on the sea floor off New Finland Canada its ongoing deterioration serves as a stark reminder of its fragile state on the ocean floor