Crew Reports Shudder as Titan Sub Loses Contact During June 2023 Incident
- The crew of the Polar Prince felt a shudder when communications with the Titan submersible were lost.
- An anomaly consistent with an implosion was detected by the U.S. Navy near the Titan's last known location.
- The Coast Guard will analyze the evidence collected during the hearing to prevent future incidents.
During a U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation hearing, it was revealed that the crew of the support ship Polar Prince experienced a shudder at the time communications were lost with the Titan submersible during its June 2023 dive to the Titanic wreck. The master of the Polar Prince expressed regret for not reporting this sensation, which could have significantly impacted search and rescue operations. Additionally, an anomaly consistent with an implosion was detected by the U.S. Navy in the vicinity of the Titan's last known location, although it was not confirmed as an implosion at that time. A former OceanGate employee testified about concerns regarding the Titan's operational safety and regulatory compliance, stating that the company had not obtained a certificate of inspection. This testimony raised questions about the legality of operating the Titan with U.S. passengers. The hearing concluded with the Coast Guard committing to analyze the evidence and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.