The U.S. Coast Guard has conducted a week-long series of hearings to investigate the tragic incident involving the Titan submersible, which imploded last June, resulting in the loss of all five individuals on board. The goal of these hearings is to uncover the factors that led to the disaster and to develop recommendations to prevent future occurrences of such tragedies.
The Titan, operated by OceanGate, was on a mission to explore the wreckage of the Titanic when it imploded less than two hours into its descent. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the submersible’s safety, design, and the materials used in its construction. Here are the five most critical takeaways from the initial week of hearings:
1. Crew’s Final Communication: ‘All Good Here’
One of the most poignant revelations during the hearings was the final communication from the Titan crew. Just before losing contact with the surface ship, the crew sent a message reading, “All good here.” This was part of a series of text exchanges between the Titan and its mother ship, detailing the submersible’s depth and weight as it began its dive toward the Titanic wreck.
The investigators highlighted that communication was sporadic throughout the descent. Approximately one hour into the dive, the Titan sent its final message from a depth of 3,346 meters, indicating that it had released two weights.
2. Last Glimpse of the Crew: ‘Five People Smiling’
Mission specialist Renata Rojas, who volunteered for the ill-fated mission, provided a moving testimony about her last interaction with the Titan crew. She recalled seeing “five people smiling” as they prepared to board the submersible, eager to begin their journey to the ocean floor.
Ms. Rojas, who had previously visited the Titanic wreckage with OceanGate, became emotional as she recounted the moment communication with the sub was lost. She questioned her colleagues, asking, “We haven’t heard from them, where are they?” Despite knowing the risks involved, she stated that she never felt unsafe on previous dives. However, she admitted that the Titan was neither classified nor registered, raising concerns about its safety protocols.
3. Whistleblower’s Warning: Tragedy Was ‘Inevitable’
David Lochridge, OceanGate’s former operations director, testified that he had raised safety concerns about the Titan submersible long before the tragic incident occurred. He claimed that his warnings were ignored, leading to his dismissal from the company in 2018. Lochridge described the disaster as “inevitable,” attributing it to OceanGate’s disregard for standard safety regulations.
Lochridge’s concerns centered on the Titan’s design, particularly its construction from carbon fiber, which he believed would degrade with each dive. He also criticized the company’s focus on profit over safety, stating, “There was very little in the way of science.” His testimony highlighted significant flaws in OceanGate’s approach to submersible design and operations.
4. New Footage of Titan Wreckage Released
The U.S. Coast Guard unveiled new footage showing the wreckage of the Titan submersible on the seabed. The video, captured by a remotely operated vehicle, reveals the scattered debris, including parts of the vessel’s tail, wires, gauges, and electronics. The OceanGate logo is still visible on the side of the submersible, serving as a stark reminder of the tragedy.
5. Submersible Expert’s Critique: Titan Was ‘Not Ready for Primetime’
Patrick Lahey, co-founder and CEO of Triton Submarines, a leading submersible manufacturer, provided a critical assessment of the Titan submersible. Lahey, whose company specializes in deep-sea exploration vehicles, emphasized the importance of certifying submersibles through rigorous safety assessments conducted by independent marine organizations—a step that OceanGate did not take with the Titan.
Lahey, who had toured the Titan submersible during a vacation in the Bahamas, expressed his concerns to OceanGate, stating that the vessel appeared “amateurish” in its design and execution. He noted that the submersible seemed poorly thought out and not ready for deep-sea exploration.
The initial week of hearings has shed light on the sequence of events and decisions that may have contributed to the Titan submersible’s catastrophic failure. As the investigation continues, these revelations underscore the importance of stringent safety protocols and thorough certification processes in deep-sea exploration. The U.S. Coast Guard’s findings will likely have significant implications for the future of submersible design and operations, with the aim of preventing similar tragedies.