A passenger on a previous mission aboard OceanGate’s Titan submersible described an aborted dive due to mechanical issues during his testimony at a U.S. Coast Guard investigatory panel. The mission, which aimed to explore the wreck of the Titanic, was cut short after one of the vessel’s thrusters malfunctioned, rendering the sub uncontrollable. The passenger recounted how the sub could only spin in circles, leading the crew to abort the mission.
The testimony follows increased scrutiny of OceanGate’s operations after the catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible in June 2023, which claimed five lives. OceanGate’s co-founder and submersible pilot, Stockton Rush, was among those who perished. The fatal incident has triggered broader conversations about the safety of private undersea exploration, particularly concerning the lack of independent safety reviews for OceanGate’s unconventional designs.
During the public hearings, various witnesses—including former employees and experts—shared troubling details about safety practices at OceanGate. A former operations director revealed that he frequently clashed with Rush over the company’s safety priorities, stating that OceanGate appeared more focused on financial gains than on science or safety. He also testified that he had raised concerns about the sub’s structural integrity but felt they were disregarded by the company’s leadership.
Other testimonies highlighted an environment where safety concerns were routinely overlooked. A former contractor reported hearing a loud noise resembling an explosion during a 2022 dive and said she was discouraged from voicing her safety concerns by OceanGate management. Despite the incident, she noted that the sub’s hull was not properly inspected afterward, raising further alarms about the company’s safety protocols.
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