September 19th 2024.
During a recent hearing, new images of the Titan wreck were released, shedding more light on the tragic incident that claimed the lives of everyone on board. The submersible, owned by OceanGate, had experienced a malfunction just days before the fatal dive. According to the scientific director of OceanGate, Steven Ross, the sub had a "platform issue" that caused the passengers to "tumble about" and took an hour to rescue them from the water.
The pilot of the submersible, Stockton Rush, crashed into bulkheading during the malfunction, leaving one passenger hanging upside down and two others wedged in the bow end cap. Steven mentioned that he was unsure if an assessment of the Titan hull was done after the incident, raising concerns about the safety measures taken by the company.
Tragically, none of the passengers survived the implosion of the submersible, which was found on the ocean floor. Among the victims were British adventurer Hamish Harding, father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, OceanGate Expeditions' chief executive Stockton Rush, and Frenchman Paul-Henri Nargeolet. It was a devastating loss for all involved.
During the hearing, Renata Rojas, a mission specialist for the company, shared her perspective and defended OceanGate's operations. She described the company as being staffed by competent individuals who were passionate about "making dreams come true." Her testimony differed from earlier witnesses who had raised concerns about the company's focus on profit over safety.
Renata also mentioned that she felt the company had been transparent leading up to the Titanic dive. However, the coast guard opened a public hearing to investigate the cause of the implosion, and some of the testimonies pointed to problems within the company prior to the fatal dive. In addition, underwater footage of the submersible wreck was released, showing its tail cone and other debris on the ocean floor.
The coast guard acknowledged that the submersible had not been independently reviewed, which is standard practice in the undersea exploration community. This, coupled with the Titan's unusual design, raised questions about the safety of the submersible. As a result, OceanGate suspended its operations and currently has no full-time employees, though they are being represented by a lawyer during the hearing.
It's a tragic and sobering reminder of the risks involved in deep-sea exploration. As the hearing continues, we hope that more answers will be found and measures will be taken to prevent such a devastating incident from happening again. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the Titan wreck.
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