On June 18, 2023, the Titan submersible, embarking on its descent to the Titanic wreck, communicated what would become hauntingly its last words: "all good here". This brief reassurance was part of the final exchanges between the Titan and its mother ship, the Polar Prince. Tragically, around two hours later, the communication abruptly ceased, and all five passengers aboard were killed when the submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion, the cause of which is now under scrutiny.
Recent hearings held by the U.S. Coast Guard are shedding more light on this grave incident, aimed at answering the question: what went wrong? The hearings detailed the Titan's final moments, tracking its descent below the surface and the alarming circumstances leading up to its demise.
The Titan had already encountered numerous mechanical issues during previous dives. According to the investigation, the submersible experienced 118 equipment malfunctions over 13 dives the previous years. These issues included the failure of thrusters at depths of over 3,500 meters and even occasions when the batteries died, reportedly leaving passengers trapped for long periods. Despite these troubling signs, the Titan’s owner, OceanGate, pushed forward with its ambitious explorations.
One particularly notable detail revealed during the hearings was the Patrick's final text. The last message from the crew indicated they had just dropped two weighted materials from the craft—a move intended to adjust buoyancy. This communication was sent at 10:47 AM local time, shortly before silence fell, signifying the vessel’s grave end beneath the waves.
The hearing also provided the first public image of the wreckage, showing the Titan’s tail cone resting on the ocean floor of the Atlantic. It serves as stark evidence of the immense pressure the vessel faced at depths exceeding 12,000 feet. Investigators confirmed this debris is indicative of the implosion, yielding what they describe as conclusive evidence of the submersible's catastrophic failure.
Throughout the investigation, testimonies from former OceanGate employees have cast shadows over the company's operational decisions. Tony Nissen, former engineering director of OceanGate, testified about the tense dynamics with Stockton Rush, the company’s late CEO. He noted how Rush frequently insisted on obtaining things his way, even when they diverged from best practices. Nissen expressed feeling uncomfortably pressured to prioritize expedients over safety when it came to engineering decisions.
Another witness, Tym Catterson, raised red flags about the vessel's structural integrity long before the disastrous voyage. Catterson stated he never felt comfortable aboard the Titan due to the questionable construction materials—particularly the combination of carbon fiber and titanium. His fears echoed the sentiments of others within the company who felt safety was not adequately prioritized.
Makeshift oversight and lack of third-party testing on the Titan’s hull appear to be recurring themes underscoring the vessel's design philosophy. These aspects are central to the inquiry as investigators seek to clarify the gaps leading to this incident.
The inquiry touched extensively on the Titan's operational history. It revealed how the submersible had been subjected to intense pressures during its explorations. Just as disastrous as the implosion itself are the moments leading up to it; the company appeared to have faced mounting scrutiny over its approach to safety regulations. OceanGate’s controversial design techniques and their disregard for established safety protocols have fueled debates both among experts and the public.
During the hearings, many outlined troubling patterns within OceanGate, including the treatment of employees who voiced concerns. David Lochridge, OceanGate’s former director of marine operations, claimed he was fired after attempting to raise such safety concerns back in 2018. He was reportedly rebuffed when he offered solutions to the issues he highlighted, raising alarms about insufficient safety measures being employed.
The narratives unearthed during the investigation have reignited discussions surrounding safety and regulation pertaining to private undersea exploration. Given the rise of commercial ventures focused on deep-sea tourism, the Titan tragedy serves as a wake-up call about the inherent risks involved.
The Marine Board of Investigation is focused not only on the cause of the tragedy but also on potential misconduct or negligence by crew members overseeing the submersible's operations. This level of inquiry, categorized as the highest for marine casualties, is expected to span over two weeks as testimonies from various experts and former employees continue to be presented.
While the hearing aims to piece together the past events of the doomed voyage, it does so against the backdrop of historical tragedies associated with submersible explorations. With the Titanic itself standing as testimony to human ambition meeting with disaster, the Titan incident is now intricately tied to both past and present maritime dangers.
Meanwhile, the hopes surrounding the Titan’s mission—to safely explore the remnants of the Titanic—tragically faded under the immense pressure of the deep Atlantic. The thoughts and prayers are firmly with the families of those lost as the hearings proceed, and clarity is sought amid the heartache.
These proceedings could lead to stronger regulations and oversight for future deep-sea excursions, to prevent similar accidents from occurring. The emotional aftermath and technical inquiries represent not just the quest for answers, but also the very real need to honor those who lost their lives by ensuring future missions are conducted with the utmost safety at the forefront.
