North Charleston Investigations Uncover Safety Concerns at OceanGate
On Tuesday, an interesting day unfolded in North Charleston, South Carolina, during the ongoing Coast Guard Marine Board Investigation into the tragic implosion of the Titan submersible last year, which claimed the lives of five individuals, including Stockton Rush, the co-founder and CEO of OceanGate. David Lochridge, who previously served as the operations director at OceanGate, spoke openly about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and expressed his concerns regarding safety practices at the company.
A Shift in Safety Focus
Lochridge, who packed up his life in Scotland for a new adventure in Seattle to work with OceanGate, testified with a clear message: safety was not taken seriously enough. His words resonated with the sentiments of other former employees who had testified just a day before. They described a toxic environment where safety measures were often ignored if they interfered with budgets or timelines.
According to Lochridge, the primary challenges at OceanGate stemmed from cost-cutting measures and what he called “bad engineering decisions.” He characterized the urgency to reach the Titanic wreck site as a major motivator behind these risky choices, emphasizing the push to start turning a profit as quickly as possible. He noted, “The desire to get to the Titanic as quickly as they could to start making a profit.”
Concerns Ignored
During his testimony, Lochridge didn’t hold back. He even referred to the Titan project as an “abomination,” a strong statement highlighting his deep concerns. He had previously prepared a comprehensive report on the submersible’s structure, particularly focusing on the potential issues with its carbon fiber hull. After presenting this critical insight back in late 2017, Lochridge was let go within a month—a situation that raised eyebrows during the investigation.
When pressed by Lt. Cmdr. Tom Whalen on why his extensive experience and voiced concerns were overlooked, Lochridge pointed towards the financial motivations of the company. “You have to have the confidence in the equipment to do the job,” he asserted. “If you don’t have confidence in it, you don’t do it. That’s it.”
Pressure and Tension
Lochridge was not the only one who felt the strain of working under rush. Tony Nissen, a former lead engineer, also shared his experiences from Monday’s hearing, recounting how he felt immense pressure to prepare the Titan for dives. Describing Stockton Rush as someone difficult to work with, Nissen revealed that he initially refused to pilot the submersible because he didn’t trust its operations. He stated bluntly, “I’m not getting in it,” referring to his early misgivings about the Titan’s readiness. Unfortunately, not long after, he faced termination.
In another concerning detail, Nissen mentioned the Titan had been struck by lightning during a test mission, which he feared compromised the hull integrity. When questioning if he believed the rush to dive created any safety issues, he remained cautious in his response, indicating the complexities involved when considering both time and budget constraints.
The Investigation Continues
The hearings, which are projected to span two weeks, are particularly focused on uncovering not just what went wrong but how similar incidents can be prevented in the future. This initiative is a part of the Coast Guard’s wider efforts; recommendations from this Marine Board investigation will be directed to the guard’s commandant. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also conducting its investigation.
In the wake of the Titan incident, OceanGate has suspended operations and faces an extensive inquiry into its practices. Lochridge’s powerful statements reflect a growing concern among former employees and industry experts about the emphasis on profits over safety, raising questions on the accountability of leadership. In continuing discussions over the coming days, more voices will be heard, and a clearer picture may emerge of the events leading to this heartbreaking episode. “There are no words to ease the loss endured by the families impacted by this tragic incident,” remarked Jason Neubauer of the Coast Guard Office of Investigations, highlighting the gravity of this situation.
