NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – A Deep Dive into Concerns Over the Titan Submersible
This week marks a significant moment in the ongoing investigation into the tragic implosion of the Titan submersible, which claimed the lives of five explorers during its voyage to the Titanic wreck site. On day seven of the Coast Guard Marine Board Investigation, we heard from multiple experts who shed light on the complicated relationship between OceanGate, the company behind Titan, and those who voiced serious concerns over its operational safety.
Expert Testimonies Unfold
Our story starts with testimony from William Kohnen, an expert in submersible technology and the founder of Hydrospace Group Inc. Kohnen was called to testify about his experience with OceanGate when they approached his company to create the acrylic window for the Titan. He got straight to the point, stating, “When we delivered the window, there was a lot of conversation about all the testing they were going to do. Then, they changed their mind. I don’t know when it happened, but there was a change.”
This change left Kohnen quite concerned, especially since he reminded OceanGate that rigorous testing was crucial for the window’s integrity at the depths they planned to reach. “I was like, ‘What do you mean you are not testing? You need to do the testing,’” he said, emphasizing that this was not optional.
After sending them results from a study conducted by Kemper Engineering, Kohnen was stunned when OceanGate did not respond. The study indicated “significant strain consistent with potential short cycle failure modes.” Alarmingly, it seems like OceanGate brushed these critical findings aside.
The Context of Dangerous Innovation
It’s important to highlight that Kohnen also led a letter drafting process back in 2018 that had the backing of around 40 professionals from across the globe, expressing concerns about OceanGate’s experimental approach. “The society was apprehensive of the experimental approach by OceanGate that could result in negative outcomes that would have serious consequences…,” he read from the letter. Though this letter never officially reached OceanGate’s co-founder Stockton Rush, a committee member had shared its concerns during its drafting process.
It gets even more intriguing with the testimony of Dr. Don Kramer, from the National Transportation Safety Board, who provided insights into the structural integrity of Titan. His findings included evidence of **delamination and separation in the adhesive** used in the hull. “We don’t know whether these issues were present before or after the implosion,” he stated, leaving the investigation with more questions than answers.
A Sense of Urgency and Tragedy
Adding to the weight of the investigation, Amber Bay, OceanGate’s director of administration, addressed questions about a potential desperation to meet the high demands of their paying customers. She maintained that the company would never conduct dives that were considered risky just to satisfy financial obligations. “There definitely was an urgency to deliver on what we had offered and a dedication and perseverance towards that goal,” she said with evident emotion. Her connection to the victims of this tragedy seemed deeply personal.
Severe Consequences for the Industry
The hearing has continually challenged the foundations of OceanGate’s approach to deep-sea exploration. Former operations director David Lochridge relayed how safety concerns were often overshadowed by a desire for profit. “The whole idea behind the company was to make money,” he lamented, bringing light to the tension within the organization.
As the investigation unfolds, the calls for safer practices in deep-sea exploration grow louder. Karl Stanley, a submersible pilot, emphasized that OceanGate’s practices raised serious ethical questions surrounding the exploitation of adventurous wealthy individuals who participated as “mission specialists.” “It’s clearly a dodge with trying to get around U.S. regulations…,” Stanley contended, suggesting that the entire business model of OceanGate might have overlooked essential safety measures.
Looking Forward
As the Coast Guard investigation continues—set to resume on Thursday with more witnesses expected—one thing becomes increasingly clear: the implosion of the Titan submersible is a wake-up call for the entire deep-sea industry. While the tragedy is heart-wrenching, there’s hope on the horizon that it might inspire more robust safety practices and a renewed passion for exploration grounded in responsibility and safety.
The community is left grappling with this loss, and as more testimonies come to light, it’s becoming undeniable that there’s a lot more to learn from this incident than we initially thought.
