The deep ocean’s mysteries have long captivated explorers and scientists, with the wreck of the R.M.S. Titanic, resting nearly two and a half miles below the surface, being the epitome of this intrigue. However, the journey to this iconic site is fraught with challenges, requiring advanced technology and a steadfast commitment to safety; currently, a U.S. Coast Guard investigatory panel is examining the Titan submersible’s operations after a tragic implosion last year claimed the lives of five individuals aboard. Through days of testimony, a somewhat clearer but still conflicting picture of the obstacles encountered during previous missions is beginning to emerge.
The hearing, a high-level marine casualty investigation by the Coast Guard, aims to understand the circumstances that led to the devastating implosion on June 18, 2023. Witnesses, including former passengers and employees of OceanGate, the company that owned and operated the Titan, have stepped forward to share their accounts. These testimonies paint a vivid picture of technical glitches, operational concerns, and a unique perspective on the nature of deep-sea tourism and exploration with this particular craft.
Among those who testified was Fred Hagen, a previous passenger on a Titan dive to the Titanic in 2021. Mr. Hagen had paid a fee to join the expedition, taking on a role OceanGate termed “mission specialist.” He recounted a dive that had to be aborted underwater due to an apparent mechanical failure. The challenges began when they realized the submersible wasn’t navigating as intended. Mr. Hagen specifically stated that the Titan could only perform one maneuver effectively, explaining, “We realised that all it could do was spin around in circles, making right turns.”
The crew’s inability to maneuver as planned led to a critical mission goal becoming unattainable, as Mr. Hagen lamented, ‘At this juncture, we obviously weren’t going to be able to navigate to the Titanic.’ The failure of the starboard thruster, designed for directional control, was a significant setback, compelling the crew to make the difficult choice to abort the dive and return safely to the surface.
To resurface, the crew had to drop weights; the Titan then emerged, and the mission was ultimately canceled. Mr. Hagen’s recollection of this aborted expedition included a frank acknowledgment of the risks involved, revealing his understanding that the experimental submersible he was on was not without its dangers, raising serious concerns about the safety protocols in place.
Considering the mindset necessary for such perilous journeys, Mr. Hagen expressed, ‘Anyone that wanted to go was either delusional if they didn’t think that it was dangerous, or they were embracing the risk.’ This candid testimony underscores the accepted, sometimes even glorified, notion of danger that enveloped these deep-sea voyages, providing essential context for the choices made by those who dared to embark on such treacherous expeditions.
Another former OceanGate member, Dr. Steven Ross, who served as the scientific director, provided gripping testimony about a dive just days before the catastrophic implosion in June 2023. Dr. Ross was aboard the Titan for this particular expedition, which also met an untimely end due to a malfunctioning variable ballast tank valve during descent, highlighting ongoing technical vulnerabilities.
However, the challenges didn’t cease there, as the retrieval platform malfunctioned upon attempting to recover the Titan post-surfacing. This mechanical failure caused the submersible to tilt dangerously, with Dr. Ross describing a nerve-wracking moment when the Titan neared a 45-degree angle, its bow pointed skyward, an alarming position for any vehicle underwater.
Inside the cramped submersible, movement was far from graceful, as Dr. Ross noted the absence of restraints or handholds, saying, ‘there’s nothing to hold on to inside this submersible.’ As the vessel tilted, the occupants were violently tossed about, recounting an instance where the pilot, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, ‘crashed into the rear bulkhead,’ underscoring the chaotic conditions within.
The other passengers faced similar turbulence, as Dr. Ross testified, saying, ‘The rest of the passengers tumbled about.’ He vividly remembered his position as he found himself standing on the rear bulkhead, while describing how one passenger hung upside down and another two managed to wedge themselves into the bow end cap; thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the incident left lasting impressions of distress.
Dr. Ross described the ordeal as ‘uncomfortable and unpleasant,’ noting that correcting the issues with the platform and the Titan consumed a significant amount of time—at least an hour, by his estimate. Following this unsettling experience, he observed that Stockton Rush appeared understandably ‘upset,’ yet when questioned about safety discussions or inspections related to the Titan after these incidents, Dr. Ross admitted he could not recall any such conversations occurring.
The testimony also delved into the culture and operational practices within OceanGate, with several former employees offering critical perspectives. David Lochridge, who previously served as OceanGate’s operations director, provided powerful insights. A veteran engineer and submersible pilot who joined the company in the mid-2010s, Mr. Lochridge testified that he frequently clashed with Stockton Rush.
Mr. Lochridge expressed concerns that the primary motivation driving the company’s operations was financial gain, stating bluntly, ‘The whole idea behind the company was to make money,’ and further emphasizing that there was ‘very little in the way of science.’ This perspective starkly contrasts with the public image of the company as a trailblazer in exploration.
Related posts:
‘All it could do was spin in circles’: Previous Titan sub passenger says fault aborted mission
Passenger on a previous Titan sub dive says his mission was aborted due to apparent malfunction
Former Titan passenger recalls day of deadly implosion at hearings
