September 16th 2024.
As the inquiry into the tragic implosion of the experimental submersible, Titan, continues, the US Coast Guard presented a visual recreation of the journey on Monday. The animation revealed that the last words heard from the crew before the implosion were "all good here". This came after a series of text messages between the crew and their support ship, Polar Prince, as the Titan headed towards the wreck of the Titanic.
The two-week hearing aims to uncover the causes of the implosion, which resulted in the loss of all five crew members. According to the presentation, the crew was communicating via text messages with the staff aboard Polar Prince. However, contact was lost after a discussion about the submersible's depth and weight. The support ship then repeatedly asked if the Titan could still see them on its onboard display. The final response from the Titan, which became spotty as it descended, was "all good here".
The implosion of the Titan on June 18, 2023, sparked a global debate on the safety and future of private undersea exploration. During the hearing, it was revealed that the submersible had been left exposed to the elements for seven months while in storage in 2022 and 2023. This, along with the fact that the hull had not been reviewed by any third parties, raised concerns in the undersea exploration community.
The first witness called to testify was Tony Nissen, the former engineering director of OceanGate, the company that owned the Titan. Nissen expressed feeling rushed to start operations during his time with the company. When asked if there was pressure to get the Titan into the water, he responded, "100 per cent". The marine board also questioned if this pressure compromised safety decisions and testing, to which Nissen replied, "No. ... That's a difficult question to answer because given infinite time and infinite budget, you could do infinite testing."
Nissen also mentioned that the Titan had been struck by lightning during a test mission in 2018, which could have compromised its hull. He further revealed that he was fired in 2019, the same year he refused to let the submersible go to the Titanic. Nissen claimed that he had informed Stockton Rush, the co-founder of OceanGate, that the Titan was "not working like we thought it would".
During his testimony, Nissen also spoke about his clashes with Rush, who he described as difficult to work for. He explained that Rush was often concerned with costs and project schedules, among other issues. Nissen added that Rush would fight for what he wanted, which often changed day to day. As a result, he tried to keep their disagreements private to avoid causing tension within the company.
The ongoing Marine Board of Investigation, conducted by the Coast Guard, is the highest level of marine casualty investigation. Once the hearing concludes, recommendations will be made to the Coast Guard's commandant. The National Transportation Safety Board is also conducting an investigation. Jason Neubauer, of the Coast Guard Office of Investigations, who is leading the hearing, expressed his hope that it will provide answers and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Sadly, among those killed in the implosion was Stockton Rush, the co-founder of OceanGate. The company suspended operations after the incident. Former employees of the company, including the former finance director and a contractor, were scheduled to speak at the hearing. However, some key representatives were not called to testify, including Rush's widow, who was also the company's communications director.
The Coast Guard clarified that they do not comment on the reasons for not calling specific individuals to a hearing during ongoing investigations. They also stated that it is common for multiple hearing sessions to be held for complex cases. Later in the hearing, other key OceanGate representatives, as well as guard officials, scientists, and government and industry officials, are expected to testify. Witnesses who are not government employees were subpoenaed by the Coast Guard.
In a statement, OceanGate announced that they have no full-time employees currently, but will be represented by an attorney during the hearing. The company has been cooperating with the Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board investigations since the beginning. The implosion of the Titan also claimed the lives of veteran Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, members of a Pakistani family, and a British adventurer.
The search for the submersible attracted worldwide attention, but it soon became clear that there was no chance of survival for the crew. The wreckage was found on the ocean floor, about 300 meters from the bow of the Titanic. Originally, the investigation was expected to take a year, but it has been ongoing for longer. The Coast Guard noted that the hearing will cover all aspects of the Titan's loss, including mechanical considerations, compliance with regulations, and crew member qualifications.
The Titan had been making voyages to the Titanic wreckage site since 2021. Stay updated on all the latest breaking news, celebrity, and sports news by joining our WhatsApp channel. We promise no comments, algorithms, or privacy concerns. As the Coast Guard continues its investigation, we join them in offering our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. May this inquiry provide answers and help prevent similar incidents in the future.
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