The Titan submersible imploded beneath the North Atlantic Ocean in June 2023, killing all five people on board, including its pilot and CEO Stockton Rush. The US Coast Guard report revealed that the disaster could have been prevented with better safety procedures and oversight.
Here’s what you need to know about the Titan sub:
The Titan was a deep-sea submersible owned by OceanGate, which had made several dives to the Titanic wreck site since 2021. The final dive ended in tragedy when the vessel failed to return on schedule.
Experts warned that the sub’s design could be flawed due to its carbon-fiber hull and lack of protection from water pressure. The company’s decision to store the vessel outdoors during the Canadian winter further compromised its integrity.
The Coast Guard report found that OceanGate had a culture of ignoring safety concerns, downplaying risks, and falsifying information to avoid regulatory scrutiny. This led to a “toxic workplace culture” and lack of compliance with established protocols for deep-sea submersible operations.
The investigation highlighted several key issues:
* The sub’s hull was not designed to withstand extreme water pressure.
* The company ignored “red flags” and disregarded expert warnings about the vessel’s safety.
* OceanGate had a history of downplaying risks and falsifying information to improve its reputation.
The tragedy has raised questions about the safety of deep-sea submersible operations and the need for improved regulations and oversight.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/titan-submersible-implosion-titanic-3bb78688ccc90759f4188b276b99421a