Renata Rojas, an amateur adventurer, recently shared her concerns at a Coast Guard hearing regarding the regulatory response to a Titanic submersible, Titan, and its crew being lost. Rojas emphasized that exploration comes with risks, and without taking those risks, the world would not progress. She hopes that innovation continues to make the oceans accessible to people like herself and that citizen scientists continue to have the opportunity to participate in expeditions. Rojas, who has participated in numerous OceanGate expeditions, accepted the risks associated with these expeditions, recognizing that problems can arise at any moment.
Rojas volunteered on the support ship for Titan’s final dive, assisting the crew as they prepared for the expedition. Despite the crew’s excitement and good weather conditions, contact with the sub was suddenly lost, leading to a frantic search and, eventually, confirmation of the crew’s loss. The incident has prompted the need for tighter regulations on submersible trips, not only at the federal level but potentially internationally as well. Rojas highlighted the importance of privately funded deep-sea exploration and expressed hope that the funding for such expeditions would continue.
During the Coast Guard hearing, Rojas rebutted allegations made by an OceanGate whistleblower regarding a previous expedition to the wreck of the Andrea Doria in 2016. She emphasized that there was no panic, swearing, or arguing during the expedition, contrary to the whistleblower’s claims. Steven Ross, who served as OceanGate’s chief scientist for the Titanic expeditions, revealed that he was involved in a rough dive prior to the fatal trip, where the sub became stuck at a 45-degree slant. He also mentioned that a research paper based on data gathered during Titan’s dives was still in development, highlighting the multiple agendas OceanGate had for its expeditions.
Ross confirmed that the primary mission for Titan’s trips was to visit and view the Titanic shipwreck, but acknowledged that there were other objectives as well. The Coast Guard hearings are ongoing, with further testimony expected from key individuals involved in the expeditions. Despite the tragic loss of the Titan crew, Rojas and others are adamant about the importance of continued deep-sea exploration and the role of private citizens in funding such endeavors. The outcome of these hearings will likely shape the future of submersible expeditions and the regulations surrounding them.
