Titan sub disaster: Five key questions that remain

On June 18, 2023, the Titan submersible tragically imploded during its descent to the Titanic wreck, resulting in the deaths of all five individuals aboard, including Stockton Rush, co-founder of OceanGate. The incident has sparked a global discussion regarding the safety and future of private underwater exploration. Testimonies from key figures, including Tony Nissen, the former engineering director, revealed significant concerns about the vessel's safety and operational pressures within the company. Nissen testified that he felt compelled to prepare the Titan for dives despite his reservations about its safety. He had previously refused to pilot the submersible due to a lack of trust in the operations staff and had halted a planned dive to the Titanic in 2019, citing operational issues. His concerns were echoed by Bonnie Carl, the former finance and human resources director, who acknowledged awareness of safety issues and described the Titan as 'unsafe' according to the operations director. The Titan had previously experienced a lightning strike during a test mission, which may have compromised its hull integrity. The final communication from the crew to the support ship, Polar Prince, indicated that everything was 'all good here,' just before the implosion occurred. This tragic event has led to the suspension of OceanGate's operations and the initiation of a U.S. Coast Guard hearing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disaster. The ongoing Marine Board of Investigation represents the highest level of inquiry into marine casualties, aiming to uncover the factors that contributed to this catastrophic failure. The investigation will include testimonies from various OceanGate officials and is expected to provide insights into the operational practices and safety protocols of private submersible expeditions.