“The Titan submersible implosion in June 2023 has sparked a public investigation. New evidence suggests the vessel experienced malfunctions prior to its fatal dive, leading to concerns about safety and design. Survivors recount the events leading up to the implosion, including lost communication and rescue efforts. The investigation continues to shed light on the factors contributing to the tragic incident.”
In June 2023, the Titan submersible imploded with five individuals on board—an event that has warranted a public investigation. This inquiry has uncovered that problems with the craft first emerged nearly a week before its final dive. Steven Ross, a former scientific director for OceanGate, the company responsible for the asset, testified that passengers were “tumbled about,” which sent the vessel crashing against the bulkheading.
The inquiry, performed by the United States Coast Guard, represents two weeks of evidence that has been compiled regarding the tragic incident which caused the death of all five individuals on board. Mr. Ross confirmed that it took over an hour to retrieve the support vessel after the presumed positive departure and positive buoyancy into the water.
Renata Rojas, a Mission member who participated in the expedition voluntarily, has confirmed the excitement that joined the crew and passengers as they departed towards the Titanic wreck. Rojas personal recollection also allows for less excitement as she describes a helicopter dive and descent of the submersible, as well as the loss of communication. Rojas spoke of herself as only a “platform assistant” on the day of the dive responsible primarily for aiding crewmembers.
The implosion of the vessel has raised concerns about the safety of the vessel, vessel design, and materials used on the vessel. In earlier portions of the inquiry, representation of the last communications sent from the subprior to implosion were exhibited to inquiry members as the vehicles crew had reported everything “good here.”
Rojas went on to recount the items prior to the implosion as she participated in the search, described communication failures, and search protocols. Her recollection of the search also sees her make mention of the limited responsibilities possible regardless of position in the event the vessel became stuck on the ocean floor. She included, though, that while aboard a previous expedition in 2021 the submersible’s dome had infact fallen off while being retrieved.
Although Rojas had information regarding risk factors, during her own dives she never felt degrees of unsafe and felt that the OceanGate staff were upfront about risk and instinctuality or safety. The inquiry continues into the next week.
