A US Coast Guard report has criticized OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush for his inadequate oversight, highlighting that he ignored warnings about the submersible’s safety and even threatened those who raised concerns. The 335-page report details how OceanGate’s “toxic safety culture” led to the implosion of its Titan submersible, killing five people in June 2023.
Rush, co-founder of OceanGate, was among those killed in the disaster. The Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation found that he intentionally deceived and used loopholes to evade regulatory oversight. The report singles out Rush for his “misrepresentation” of the submersible’s safety, claiming substantial safety margins when none existed.
The investigation found several contributing factors to the implosion, including inadequate design and testing processes, no meaningful analysis of the carbon fiber hull material, and an over-reliance on OceanGate’s real-time monitoring system. The report also highlights the company’s lack of government oversight, with some agencies having no framework in place to monitor or enforce rules that could have prevented the disaster.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the implosion and will make its own determination as to the probable cause. The Coast Guard’s report recommends stronger oversight on both international and domestic levels for innovative watercraft and submersibles.
OceanGate has suspended all exploration and commercial operations after the deadly implosion, with the company cooperating fully with the Coast Guard’s inquiry. In response to the report, OceanGate expressed condolences to the families of those killed and acknowledged that they had inadequate safety protocols in place.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/coast-guard-oceangate-titan-submersible-report-implosion/story?id=124356118