Former Titanic Submersible Employees Testify Before Coast Guard Panel

Former employees of OceanGate, the company behind the Titan submersible, are set to testify before a Coast Guard investigatory board following the tragic implosion of the vessel in June 2023. The incident resulted in the deaths of all five individuals on board, including Stockton Rush, the company’s co-founder, and renowned Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet. The Titan was lost during a dive to the Titanic wreck site, leading to a massive search operation in the North Atlantic. The public hearing, scheduled to begin on September 16 in Charleston, South Carolina, aims to uncover the facts surrounding the incident and develop recommendations to prevent future tragedies. Witnesses will include key figures from OceanGate, such as its former engineering and operations directors, as well as various Coast Guard officials and industry experts. The investigation is the highest level of marine casualty inquiry conducted by the Coast Guard, focusing on regulatory compliance, crew qualifications, and the submersible's mechanical systems. The Titan had been conducting dives to the Titanic wreck since 2021, but its unconventional design and the decision to bypass standard independent checks raised concerns within the undersea exploration community. The implosion occurred approximately two hours into its final dive on June 18, 2023, prompting a worldwide response as rescuers searched for the missing vessel. As the investigation unfolds, the Coast Guard is expected to issue a report detailing evidence, conclusions, and recommendations aimed at improving maritime safety and preventing similar incidents in the future. The inquiry has taken longer than initially anticipated, reflecting the complexity of the circumstances surrounding the loss of the Titan.