Meehika Barua
Updated on: October 12, 2024 1:14 am GMT
A public hearing is set to begin on September 16, 2023, aimed at investigating the tragic implosion of the Titan submersible during its expedition to the Titanic wreck. The incident, which took place on June 18, 2023, resulted in the deaths of all five people aboard, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and experienced explorer Hamish Harding. This hearing marks a critical step toward uncovering the factors that contributed to this disaster, from design flaws to ignored safety warnings.
Timeline of the Titan’s Final Journey
On the day of the dive, the Titan submersible began its descent 3,800 meters (about 12,500 feet) beneath the Atlantic. Alongside Rush and Harding were veteran French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his teenage son Suleman. The submersible was meant to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing passengers to witness the famed wreck of the Titanic.
- Start of Descent: June 18, 2023
- Communication Loss: Shortly after reaching the ocean floor
- Wreckage Discovery: June 22, 2023, approximately 500 meters (1,600 feet) from the Titanic’s bow
The Titan imploded just one hour and 45 minutes into its dive, a fact that became clear only when the wreckage was discovered.
Key Questions Surrounding the Disaster
Several critical questions remain unanswered regarding the Titan’s catastrophic failure. These inquiries aim to shed light on both the actions leading up to the disaster and pre-existing concerns regarding the submersible’s safety.
1. What Caused the Implosion?
Forensic experts have begun analyzing the Titan’s wreckage to determine the root cause of the failure. Early assessments indicate several design issues:
- Viewport Window: Rated for a depth of 1,300 meters (4,300 feet) but was attempting to submerge at nearly three times this depth.
- Hull Shape: Titan’s cylindrical shape is unconventional; most deep-sea submersibles utilize a spherical design for better pressure distribution.
- Material Choice: The carbon fiber construction is viewed as unpredictable under immense ocean pressures, while metals like titanium are more commonly employed.
2. Were Safety Warnings Ignored?
Concerns regarding the safety of the Titan were raised by various industry experts and former employees, yet these issues appear to have been minimized by management. Specifically:
- David Lochridge, a former director of marine operations at OceanGate, previously identified serious safety risks associated with the experimental design.
- Other professionals warned that the company’s innovative approach could lead to “negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic).”
Despite the existing concerns, overseeing bodies like the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) were not consulted for safety assessments.
3. Why Wasn’t the Titan Certified?
Unlike many submersibles that undergo stringent safety evaluations, OceanGate opted not to seek formal certification for the Titan. The company viewed the submersible as experimental and argued that certification processes hinder innovation.
- Stockton Rush had made his intentions known in past communications, asserting that his protocols and passenger consent were sufficient.
4. How Were Communications Managed?
The Titan was equipped with a communication system that allowed crew members to send text messages to the support vessel, Polar Prince. The log from these exchanges will be an essential element in understanding if any warning signs were transmitted before the disaster.
5. What Did the Acoustic Monitoring System Reveal?
An acoustic monitoring device was installed on the Titan to detect failure. Speculations exist regarding whether this system provided any indicators of the Titan’s impending failure. Experts are questioning how effective this system would have been in a moment of crisis.
Community Response and Future Recommendations
The Titan disaster raised significant concern within the deeper maritime exploration community. The upcoming hearings will feature testimonies from 24 witnesses, including former OceanGate executives and experts in marine engineering.
Public and industry support focuses on preventing such tragedies in the future through:
- Increased regulatory oversight for experimental submersibles
- The importance of certification processes before allowing passenger expeditions
- Enhanced safety protocols across the board in the submersible industry
As the hearings unfold, the hope is that they will provide clarity for the families of the deceased and establish a more secure framework for deep-sea exploration. The Hazards of innovation cannot come at the expense of human life.
After the sad ending of the Titan, we need to make deep ocean dives safer. It’s important to have better safety measures to protect those who are exploring the mysteries of the ocean.
