Last year, a submersible diving to the Titanic wreckage imploded, killing all five people onboard. The former OceanGate scientific director testified that six days before the fatal dive, the submersible had malfunctioned during a previous dive. The malfunction caused all onboard to tumble around and was due to an issue with the variable ballast tank, which controls the submersible’s buoyancy. The captain of the dive, Stockton Rush, crashed into the rear bulkhead during the malfunction.
After the malfunction, the crew attempted to fix the issue but ultimately decided to ascend to the surface to address it. The former scientific director admitted that he did not know if the submersible’s hull was inspected for damage after the failed dive. There were also two incidents during previous Titanic expedition dives in 2022, including a loud noise heard upon surfacing in one dive and a malfunction of the craft’s thrusters in another.
The US Coast Guard is conducting an inquiry into the submersible disaster. Allegations of Rush’s negligence and safety shortcuts have come to light since the tragedy. Rush and four others were killed when the submersible imploded due to water pressure. The mangled remains of the submersible were discovered on the ocean floor near the Titanic wreck a few days later.
OceanGate’s lead engineer on the fatal mission revealed that there were clashes between him and Rush, who pressured the team to get the submersible operational. The former director of marine operations also detailed the faults with the original model of the submersible. He claimed that the company’s focus was more on making money than on scientific exploration.
The US Coast Guard will continue hearings to gather evidence about the submersible disaster. The details of the malfunction during the previous dive and the alleged negligence of Rush have raised questions about the safety protocols and practices of OceanGate. The investigation aims to uncover the causes of the submersible’s implosion and prevent similar incidents in the future. OceanGate’s reputation has been tarnished by the tragedy, and the company’s practices and operations are under scrutiny as a result of the inquiry.
