The US Coast Guard will go through a verification process to determine whether a debris field found in the search area for the missing Titanic submersible is related to the sub, Maximilian Cremer, the director of the Ocean Technology Group at the University of Hawaii Marine Center, told CNN.

The Coast Guard announced Thursday that a debris field was found using a remotely operated vehicle, but it remains unclear if it is connected in any way to the missing submersible. 

Cremer would "not be surprised to find a debris field near the wreck of the Titanic," he said in an interview with CNN's Dana Bash.

"I would have to see what it actually is," he continued, adding that he's unsure if the search vehicle transmits video.

Bash asked Cremer whether he believes it means anything that the US Coast Guard — which is also clearly aware of the debris types typically found on the ocean floor — made a point to share the news about the field.

"It could tell me that somebody saw something within the debris that they have, I guess, on camera or on sonar, that lets them assume that it might not be from the Titanic, that it might be from the stricken vessel," Cremer said.

"I'm sure they're now going through a verification process to see if it is actually associated with the stricken sub," he added.

On the sub's oxygen supply: Bash also asked about the submersible's oxygen supplies. The sub is now believed to be reaching the limits of its typical 96 hours of life support, having gone missing Sunday morning.

Experts interviewed by CNN have said crew members would realize that remaining calm and conserving energy was critical if they were awaiting rescue.

If there was an issue with the sub, "whatever failure it was," it's fair to assume "you would have some excitement and some panic going on for a brief period of time," Cremer said.

But, he continued, a "strong leader" on board would likely insist that everyone goes into "a sort of hibernation state, and uses as little oxygen as possible."