Titan Submersible Tragedy Could Have Been Avoided, Says US Coast Guard Report
A newly released report from the US Coast Guard has revealed that the fatal Titan submersible tragedy could have been prevented, pointing to multiple technical lapses and procedural shortcomings. The 327-page document highlights serious warnings that were allegedly ignored long before the ill-fated mission took place.
According to a report by the Associated Press, the primary responsibility has been placed on OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who is said to have gone ahead with deep-sea operations despite persistent concerns raised by industry professionals and his own team.
The report outlines how OceanGate received repeated warnings regarding the structural safety of the Titan submersible. Experts had raised alarm bells about its design and the materials used in its construction. Nevertheless, Rush continued with the dive on June 18, 2023, aimed at exploring the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic.
Communication with the Titan was lost approximately one hour and 45 minutes into its descent. After a massive international search, debris from the vessel was discovered on the seabed—evidence of a catastrophic implosion that killed all five people on board instantly.
Those who lost their lives in the tragedy included OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, and veteran French Titanic expert and pilot Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
The Coast Guard report stated,
“OceanGate repeatedly chose to prioritise its operational targets and financial interests over essential safety measures, ignoring multiple alerts from both industry specialists and internal team members.”
Chairman of the Marine Board of Investigation (MBI), Jason Neubauer, remarked that had Rush survived, he could have faced criminal prosecution, with a possible prison term of up to 10 years. The report further accused OceanGate of deliberately taking advantage of regulatory loopholes in order to bypass standard safety norms that have traditionally upheld the submersible industry’s safety record.
Apart from the technical and regulatory lapses, the report also drew attention to a troubling work environment within OceanGate. Several former employees disclosed that those who voiced safety concerns were silenced, pressured, or let go. These claims were supported by multiple testimonies collected over the past two years.
OceanGate officially announced the suspension of its operations in July 2023.
