An experimental submersible called the Titan recently imploded while on a journey to the wreck of the Titanic, resulting in the tragic loss of all five crew members on board. The US Coast Guard presented an animation of the submersible’s journey, which showed the last communication from the crew being “all good here.”
The hearing on the causes of the implosion has brought to light several factors that may have contributed to the incident. The submersible had been exposed to the elements during storage and had not undergone standard third party reviews. The former engineering director of the owning company testified that he felt pressured to start operations and that there may have been issues with testing and safety decisions.
It was revealed that the Titan had experienced a lightning strike during a test mission in 2018, possibly compromising its hull. Despite concerns raised by the former engineering director, the submersible underwent additional tests and adjustments before subsequent dives to the Titanic. However, he ultimately refused to pilot the submersible due to safety concerns.
The ongoing marine board of investigation aims to shed light on the causes of the tragedy and prevent similar incidents in the future. The Coast Guard expressed condolences to the families impacted by the incident and emphasized the importance of understanding what happened. OceanGate, the company behind the Titan, has suspended operations and is cooperating with investigations.
Scheduled witnesses at the hearing include former company officials and industry experts, with the Coast Guard issuing subpoenas to relevant parties. The investigation delves into mechanical considerations, compliance with regulations, and crew qualifications. The tragedy has sparked a debate about the future of private undersea exploration and raised questions about safety measures in such endeavors.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
