Hearing on Titan submersible tragedy begins with key witness testimony

The US Coast Guard has resumed hearings regarding the Titan submersible tragedy that resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including two British businessmen. Key testimonies have emerged from former OceanGate employees, revealing significant concerns about the vessel's safety prior to its ill-fated dive. Tony Nissen, the former engineering director, expressed feeling pressured to prepare the Titan for its mission, stating he refused to board the submersible due to safety apprehensions. Bonnie Carl, the former finance and HR director, corroborated these concerns, citing that the former operations director deemed the Titan 'unsafe.' The hearing also highlighted the lack of independent review for the Titan, which is typically standard practice for such operations. Investigators learned that one of the last communications from the Titan crew indicated everything was 'all good,' just before the submersible imploded. This message was sent to the support ship Polar Prince, which had been inquiring about the Titan's visibility on its onboard display. Tym Catterson, a platform operator, noted that he had voiced his concerns to several OceanGate officials, including Stockton Rush, the company's CEO, and other engineers. He described the implosion as instantaneous, suggesting that the crew likely had no warning of the impending disaster. The wreckage of the Titan was discovered approximately 300 meters from the Titanic's bow, raising further questions about the operational protocols and safety measures in place during the dive. The hearings aim to uncover the factors that led to this tragic event and to prevent similar incidents in the future.