An image captured by a remotely operated vehicle shows the shattered tail cone of OceanGate’s Titan submersible on June 22, 2023, providing the first evidence that the sub and its crew were lost. The last words transmitted by the crew on OceanGate’s Titan submersible before perishing in a catastrophic implosion in the North Atlantic were revealed during public hearings held by the U.S. Coast Guard. The crew included veteran explorer P.H. Nargeolet, Stockton Rush, CEO and co-founder of OceanGate, British aviation executive and adventurer Hamish Harding, and Pakistani-born business executives Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman.
The U.S. Coast Guard is leading an investigation into the fatal incident involving OceanGate’s Titan submersible, which resulted in the loss of the crew during a dive to the Titanic shipwreck. Communication issues between the sub and the Polar Prince mothership were reported during the fatal mission, along with multiple problems documented during previous expeditions to the Titanic site in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, the submersible had to endure being stored in a parking lot without protection from the elements and faced challenges such as being towed in the water during a 400-mile journey to the dive area.
Tony Nissen, a former director of engineering at OceanGate, testified during the hearing and expressed concerns over the rush to develop and test the submersible, noting disturbing revelations made prior to his testimony. Nissen spoke about pressure to adhere to development schedules and concerns regarding quality issues during the fabrication of the carbon-composite hull. He recounted a conflict with Rush over a crack discovered in the hull after test dives in the Bahamas in 2019, which ultimately led to his termination. The testimony shed light on safety concerns and decision-making processes within OceanGate.
OceanGate’s lack of procedures for retesting Titan’s hull after a certain number of dives or for regularly replacing the hull was brought up during the hearings. The company relied on a sensor system to provide early warnings about stress hazards, rather than implementing structured testing and maintenance protocols for the submersible. Testimonies from former OceanGate employees, including Bonnie Carl and David Lochridge, raised additional concerns about safety standards and financial practices within the company. Lochridge, the former director of marine operations, was fired in 2018 after criticizing OceanGate’s safety standards in a whistleblower complaint.
The Coast Guard’s investigation into the loss of the Titan crew continues to uncover details surrounding the fatal incident and the challenges faced by the submersible during previous expeditions. Testimonies from former OceanGate employees have provided insight into the decision-making processes, safety concerns, and financial practices of the company. The tragic loss of the crew serves as a reminder of the risks involved in deep-sea exploration and the importance of prioritizing safety and thorough testing in underwater operations. Updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
