The Titan submersible, which tragically imploded during its expedition to the Titanic wreck site last year, has been at the center of intense scrutiny as testimonies continue before various investigatory panels. The latest revelations, coming from the former scientific director of OceanGate, Steven Ross, paint a dire picture of malfunctions and operational flaws within the company just days before the fatal incident.
On June 18, 2023, the Titan submersible began its final descent, carrying five individuals, including Stockton Rush, OceanGate’s co-founder. Just six days prior, during the Titan's 87th mission, the vessel encountered significant issues. Ross reported to U.S. Coast Guard investigators about the chaos on board after the submersible's platform malfunctioned, leading it to invert at around 45 degrees. "The pilot crashed against the rear bulkhead; the rest of the passengers tumbled about," he recalled, describing how passengers were thrown around for about an hour, one even hanging upside down. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident, which prompted the crew to abort the mission and return to the surface.
Compounding these issues, Craig Lochridge, the former operations director for OceanGate, painted the company as more focused on profits than on safety or scientific inquiry. During his own testimony, Lochridge stated, "The whole idea behind the company was to make money. There was very little in the way of science." Such perspectives illuminate the conflicting narratives within the company, as mission specialists, who were reportedly paying customers, portrayed the expedition as part adventure and part testing ground for new technologies.
Despite these adverse reports, mission specialist Renata Rojas offered a different narrative about her engagement with OceanGate. She highlighted her experiences with passionate and hardworking colleagues, stating, "I found them to be very transparent about everything." Rojas admitted, though, to being aware of the Titan's lack of inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard, opining on the experimental nature of the dives and expressing her own sense of safety throughout the missions, even though the technology was not classified as per industry standards.
The U.S. Coast Guard's hearings began earlier this month, shedding light on the lack of independent reviews which typically accompany such deep-sea ventures. Ross also raised concerns about the precautionary measures taken post-mission failures, stating he remained oblivious to whether the Titan's hull had been examined after their problematic sea trials.
On the morning of its ill-fated plunge, communication between the Titan and its support vessel, the Polar Prince, was filled with routine checks, with one message from the crew stating, "all good here," right before they lost contact. Following the sub's disappearance, rescue efforts commenced immediately, deploying ships and planes to the vast ocean area approximately 435 miles south of Newfoundland. Tragic news came later when wreckage was discovered on the ocean floor, with no survivors found.
All of this has led to concerns about the future of private submersible excursions, often regarded as risky ventures yet noteworthy for pushing the boundaries of exploration. Following the Titan incident, OceanGate has suspended its operations, leading to higher scrutiny on regulations surrounding private deep-sea explorations and the necessity for rigorous oversight.
The panel hearings, which involve testimonies from various industry experts and insiders, are set to continue investigating OceanGate's operational protocols and the technical attributes of the Titan. With claims from both within the company and outside pointing toward pronounced lapses, these discussions will likely shape the future of private submersible expeditions significantly.
This investigation has ignited wider discussions about safety measures and responsibilities of private organizations engaged in potentially hazardous explorations. It's clear from the evidence being presented so far, there’s considerable room for improvement to avoid such calamities going forward. The next sessions of the hearings will conclude, running through significant dates set beyond the initial sessions. These discussions seem poised to reel across international waters as deep-sea exploration's safety protocols face the music.
