In 2019, Karl Stanley, Petros Mathioudakis, pilot Stockton Rush, and Joel Perry prepared for a test dive of OceanGate’s Titan submersible in the Bahamas, which ultimately ended tragically with the loss of the sub and its crew during a trip to the Titanic wreck. The Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation is examining the causes of the accident and looking into OceanGate’s missteps during the development of the Titan sub. Despite warnings and concerns raised by Stanley about the hull’s safety, Rush continued with the testing and subsequent expeditions.
During the test dive of the Titan sub in the Bahamas, Stanley and the crew heard cracking sounds as the sub descended to the depths, which caused significant alarm among them. The sub neared the Titanic’s depth of 12,500 feet when the sounds intensified and became more pronounced. Stanley voiced his concerns to Rush through email exchanges but was assured that the testing procedures were adequate for safety. However, Stanley remained skeptical about the hull’s integrity and urged for more extensive testing before allowing paying clients on board.
OceanGate canceled its planned Titanic expeditions in 2019 following the identification of a crack in the hull and regulatory issues, without disclosing the hull’s condition to the public. In 2020, a new hull was manufactured for the Titan sub, and expeditions resumed in 2021 with the replacement hull. Unfortunately, the second hull failed in June 2023 during a dive, resulting in the loss of Stockton Rush, P.H. Nargeolet, Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, and Suleman. The repeated trips to the Atlantic’s depths and exposure to the elements are believed to have contributed to the hull’s implosion.
During the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation hearing, Karl Stanley provided insights into Stockton Rush’s motivations and perspective, suggesting that Rush may have proceeded with the dives to leave a legacy and satisfy investors and clients. Stanley also discussed OceanGate’s downsizing of staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic and financial constraints, revealing that the company relied heavily on investors for revenue. The dismissal of an employee who raised concerns about a loud bang during a Titan dive in 2022 was also addressed during the hearing.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, OceanGate suspended all exploration and commercial operations. Amber Bay, the company’s former director of administration, expressed her sorrow for the lives lost and the impact on their families. The hearing shed light on the series of events leading up to the loss of the Titan sub and its crew, highlighting the importance of thorough testing and safety protocols in deep-sea exploration. The investigation aims to recommend measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future and hold accountable those responsible for the failures in the Titan sub’s development and operation.
