The Titan submersible imploded during its journey to the wreck of the Titanic due to poor engineering and a lack of adequate testing, as per the findings of a comprehensive report from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The incident occurred in June 2023, resulting in the death of all five passengers, including Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate. The NTSB condemned the engineering practices surrounding Titan, indicating that they were 'inadequate' and failed to meet necessary strength and durability standards.
Moreover, the investigation revealed that OceanGate did not perform sufficient strength tests on the vessel, leading to a lack of awareness about its actual condition prior to its last voyage. The NTSB classified the implosion as preventable and criticized OceanGate’s safety practices as deeply flawed.
The Titan, a 22-foot-long submersible, was constructed with a carbon fiber passenger compartment and titanium domes. It imploded at a depth of 3,363 meters during its descent to the Titanic wreck site, located at 3,880 meters. OceanGate previously discarded the first version of Titan following testing, but resumed operations with this second model.
Witness accounts from former employees indicate a concerning culture of neglect regarding safety issues at OceanGate. Some employees indicated that while safety was verbally prioritized, actual practices often contradicted this sentiment. A highlighted incident involved a technician who raised concerns about the legality of operating an experimental submersible with paying clients.
The NTSB’s investigation further called for the US Coast Guard to conduct a review to improve regulations surrounding pressure vessels designed for human transport, as current voluntary guidelines were deemed insufficient. Following these events, OceanGate has ceased all operations.
