Stockton Rush's Heated Exchange Before Titan Sub Implosion
- In a 2018 meeting, Stockton Rush dismissed safety concerns raised by David Lochridge regarding the Titan submersible's design.
- Rush asserted his belief in the sub's safety, stating he had no desire to die and that no one would die under his watch.
- The US Coast Guard is investigating the June 2023 Titan disaster, aiming to uncover the causes and prevent future incidents.
In January 2018, a critical meeting took place at OceanGate, the company behind the Titan submersible, where CEO Stockton Rush had a heated exchange with former director of marine operations, David Lochridge. Lochridge raised significant safety concerns regarding the sub's design, which he had documented in a quality inspection report. Despite these concerns, Rush insisted on the safety of the project, stating, 'No-one is dying under my watch - period.' He expressed confidence in the submersible's safety, emphasizing his understanding of the risks involved. Following the meeting, Lochridge was terminated and subsequently reported his safety concerns to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The US Coast Guard later released a transcript of this meeting as part of their investigation into the June 2023 Titan disaster, where the submersible tragically imploded during a dive to the Titanic wreck. The inquiry aims to uncover the factors that led to this incident and to recommend measures to prevent future tragedies. The investigation has included testimonies from various individuals, including former OceanGate employees and passengers who experienced safety issues during previous missions. One notable incident involved a paying passenger who described how the titanium dome of the Titan fell off during a dive in 2021 due to a forceful impact, highlighting ongoing safety issues. The public hearings continue, with testimonies from key figures in the company and industry experts. The findings from these hearings are expected to shed light on the operational practices at OceanGate and the overall safety of deep-sea exploration. As the inquiry progresses, the focus remains on understanding the decisions made by OceanGate's leadership and the implications of disregarding safety concerns raised by employees. The tragic loss of Stockton Rush and four others has intensified scrutiny on the company's practices and the need for stringent safety protocols in submersible operations.