Witness Testimony Sheds Light on Faulty Communications, Pressure to Start Operations in Titan Submersible Implosion

The U.S. Coast Guard's presentation during the ongoing Marine Board of Investigation revealed faulty communications between the occupants of the Titan submersible and the crew above the surface before its implosion in June 2023. The animation presented by the Coast Guard provides insights into the final moments leading up to the tragedy that killed all five on board.

The U.S. Coast Guard has released a presentation detailing the final moments of the OceanGate Titan submersible before its tragic implosion on June 18, 2023, killing all five people aboard. The presentation, shown at the beginning of a multi-day hearing on the investigation, provides new insights into the events leading up to the disaster.

According to the Coast Guard's animation, the Titan crew experienced faulty communications with the crew aboard the Polar Prince, the support ship towing the submersible to the Titanic wreckage site. One of the last messages transmitted from the Titan was "all good here," just minutes before the implosion occurred.

Witness Testimony Sheds Light on Faulty Communications, Pressure to Start Operations in Titan Submersible Implosion

The animation shows that the occupants of the Titan had initially responded to text messages from the Polar Prince but later failed to respond for an extended period. When communications were reestablished, the crew on the Titan identified themselves as "PH," believed to be Paul-Henry Nargeolet, a French mariner.

At that time, the Titan had reached a depth of about 2,275 meters (7,464 feet). In response to inquiries from the Polar Prince, Nargeolet transmitted "all good here" when asked if they could see the support ship on the submersible's display.

Witness Testimony Sheds Light on Faulty Communications, Pressure to Start Operations in Titan Submersible Implosion

However, just moments later, at 10:47 a.m., the Titan notified the crew of the Polar Prince that it had dropped two weights. Seconds later, the submersible imploded. Communications and tracking from the Titan to the Polar Prince were lost at a depth of 3,346 meters (11,007 feet), the Coast Guard said.

The implosion raised concerns about the future of private undersea exploration. The Coast Guard's report revealed that the submersible was exposed to the elements during storage for seven months, and its hull was not subjected to third-party reviews.

Witness Testimony Sheds Light on Faulty Communications, Pressure to Start Operations in Titan Submersible Implosion

The hearing also heard from former OceanGate engineering director Tony Nissen, who testified that he felt pressured to start operations while working for the company. Nissen said he was asked if there was pressure to get the Titan into the water, to which he responded, "100%." He also stated that he was concerned about the qualifications of the Titan's operations team.

Nissen testified that he was fired in 2019 after refusing to allow the Titan to go to the Titanic wreckage site. He told OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush that the submersible "was not working like we thought it would."

Witness Testimony Sheds Light on Faulty Communications, Pressure to Start Operations in Titan Submersible Implosion

Rush, who was scheduled to testify during the hearing, is known for his ambitious plans to explore the deep ocean. However, his company, OceanGate, has faced scrutiny from the undersea exploration community due to the Titan's unconventional design.

The Marine Board of Investigation is the最高水平of marine casualty investigation conducted by the Coast Guard. After its conclusion, recommendations will be submitted to the Coast Guard's commandant. The National Transportation Safety Board is also conducting an investigation into the implosion.

Witness Testimony Sheds Light on Faulty Communications, Pressure to Start Operations in Titan Submersible Implosion

The families of the victims have filed a lawsuit against OceanGate, alleging negligence and recklessness. The company has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the implosion was an unforeseen accident.

The ongoing investigation is expected to shed light on the causes of the tragedy and make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Witness Testimony Sheds Light on Faulty Communications, Pressure to Start Operations in Titan Submersible Implosion