Witness recalls last moments of Titan sub crew before descent

On June 2023, the Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate, tragically imploded during a dive to explore the wreck of the Titanic, resulting in the loss of all five passengers on board. Renata Rojas, a mission specialist and platform assistant, was present on a surface support vessel and recalled the last moments of the crew, describing them as happy and excited as they boarded the sub. She noted that everything was functioning smoothly prior to the descent, but communications were lost shortly after they began their dive. As the situation unfolded, Rojas and her colleagues initially adhered to rescue protocols, waiting an hour before considering the possibility of an emergency. Conversations on the bridge shifted to contacting the coast guard as the sub failed to resurface. Rojas explained that there were several options available if the sub had become stuck, such as releasing the legs or waiting for the tide to change, but emphasized that if the hull had failed, there was nothing that could be done from within the submersible. Rojas also recounted a previous expedition in 2021, where a dome detached from the sub during retrieval, highlighting potential safety concerns regarding the design and materials used in the Titan's construction. Despite her experiences, she expressed that she never felt unsafe during her own dives, acknowledging the inherent risks involved. The inquiry into the Titan's implosion has raised significant questions about the safety and design of submersibles, as well as the protocols in place for such deep-sea explorations. Rojas's testimony contributes to the ongoing investigation into the tragic incident and the future of underwater exploration.