The US Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation has released a scathing report on the 2023 implosion of the Titan submersible, singling out OceanGate’s CEO and founder Stockton Rush for numerous technical and managerial failings. The report alleges that Rush misrepresented the Titan as indestructible, ignored safety concerns raised by others in the industry, and fostered a toxic work environment.
The investigation found that the Titan had significant flaws, including a carbon-fiber hull that was not certified or inspected by any recognized organization. The submersible’s design was also deemed inadequate due to its lack of proper analysis and testing during manufacture. The report suggests that the fatal implosion was either caused by a glue joint failure between the hull and a titanium ring or a delamination within the carbon-fiber itself.
The Coast Guard’s Deputy Chief of Investigations, Jason Neubauer, stated that all evidence pointed to Rush as the singular leader responsible for the operation’s failures. The report contains numerous recommendations for increased federal oversight of submersibles operated by US companies, including certification with third-party organizations and proper acoustic monitoring systems.
Rush was piloting the Titan on a trip to the Titanic wreck site when the submersible imploded, killing all five crew members. The investigation found that Rush had dismissed safety concerns raised by others in the industry, and there was no one left at OceanGate who could adequately interpret sensor data. The company’s director of engineering quit two months before the implosion.
The report does not identify anyone else as subject to investigation, but a criminal probe into OceanGate is reportedly ongoing. Relatives of the victims are suing the company, Rush’s estate, and others involved in the Titan’s manufacture.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/us-coast-guard-report-titan-submersible-implosion-oceangate-ceo-stockton-rush