The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate, imploded during its voyage to survey the wreck of the Titanic, resulting in the tragic loss of all five passengers aboard. An official report by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has outlined that the cause of the implosion stems from poor engineering practices and failed protocols for vessel testing.
According to the NTSB findings, the engineering processes employed by OceanGate were 'inadequate,' allowing the design flaws to persist without proper scrutiny. This meant that the Titan did not meet essential strength and durability requirements necessary for deep-sea exploration.
Moreover, the investigation revealed that OceanGate had not properly assessed the submersible's actual strength prior to its ill-fated journey and was ignorant of the damages that should have led to its removal from service.
The Titan, measuring 6.7 meters (22 feet) in length, was equipped with a passenger compartment constructed from carbon fiber and titanium materials. During its last mission, it imploded at a depth of 3,363 meters (11,033 feet), just 517 meters above the Titanic wreck site, which rests at 3,880 meters deep.
In the aftermath, a Congressional report criticized the company’s safety concerns, revealing a workplace environment where significant design issues were overlooked. Technicians reported doubts regarding OceanGate’s business model, specifically that paying clients were being treated as 'mission specialists' in a manner that circumvented federal regulations against using experimental submersibles for passenger transport.
The tragic event, which occurred in June 2023, also highlighted the implications of insufficient regulations governing small passenger vessel safety. In response to the incident, the NTSB has suggested that new studies and regulations be established to ensure better assessment and adherence to industry standards in future ocean exploration endeavors.
As a result of the tragedy, OceanGate has ceased its operations, raising urgent questions about safety practices in experimental marine technology.
