The U.S. Coast Guard Just Published a Scathing Report on the Titan Sub
The catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible in June 2023 was “a preventable tragedy,” according to the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation (MBI).
A scathing report from the Coast Guard investigators has determined that OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the deep-sea vessel, did not follow protocols for safety, testing, and maintenance, resulting in the death of five people on board.
Titan imploded in the Atlantic Ocean at a depth of about 3,500 meters (11,482 feet) as the submersible was descending to the wreck of the Titanic. The passengers included Stockton Rush, 61, cofounder of OceanGate; Hamish Harding, 58, an adventurer and owner of Action Aviation; Paul Henri Nargeoloet, 77, a veteran Titanic explorer from France; British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48; and his son Suleman, 19.
The U.S. Coast Guard launched an investigation into the causes of the disaster in August 2023, with the two-year inquiry informing the 335-page report. The primary causal factor for the implosion was Oceangate’s failure to follow “established engineering protocols” for safety and testing, according to the report. It states the firm’s safety culture and operational practices “were critically flawed,” with “glaring disparities between their written safety protocols and their actual practices.”
The investigation found that OceanGate continued to use Titan even after a series of incidents compromised the integrity of the hull and other critical components without properly assessing or inspecting the craft. It imploded 90 minutes into the dive because the carbon-fiber hull suffered a “catastrophic loss of structural integrity,” the report reads. Carbon fiber has not been used on this type of deep-diving sub before and is considered to be unreliable under pressure due to delamination. The crew died instantly, facing nearly 5,000 pounds per square inch of water pressure, per the report.
Other contributing factors cited in the report include a toxic workplace culture at OceanGate, an inadequate domestic and international regulatory framework for submersible operations and vessels of novel design, and an ineffective whistleblower process under the Seaman’s Protection Act.
“This marine casualty and the loss of five lives was preventable,” Jason Neubauer, the chair of the Coast Guard Marine Board, said in a statement. “The two-year investigation has identified multiple contributing factors that led to this tragedy, providing valuable lessons learned to prevent a future occurrence.”
MBI’s report is currently being reviewed by the commandant of the Coast Guard, after which the commandant will confirm any actions to be pursued.
“There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework,” Neubauer said. “I am optimistic the ROI’s findings and recommendations will help improve awareness of the risks and the importance of proper oversight while still providing a pathway for innovation.”
