The tragic implosion of the Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, resulting in the loss of all five passengers on board, has sparked a debate about the regulations governing deep-sea voyages and the safety of the vehicle itself.
Due to its operation in deep-sea international waters, the Titan submersible was not subjected to extensive regulation.
Passengers Step Forward with tales of glitches and mishaps
Following the submersible’s disappearance, passengers who had previously been on board have come forward to share their experiences of glitches and mishaps during expeditions to the ocean floor.
Their accounts raise questions about the submersible’s reliability and safety measures.
Josh Gates and the Troubled Dive
Josh Gates, host of the TV series “Expedition Unknown,” revealed his own encounter with issues aboard the Titan submersible. He expressed his concerns in a tweet, stating that the submersible did not perform well during his dive. Gates highlighted problems with thruster control, onboard computers, and communication, emphasizing the need for more testing and time.
Communication Failures and Ambivalence
Mike Reiss, a comedy writer for “The Simpsons,” also experienced communication failures on his dives with OceanGate, including a trip to the Titanic wreckage. While Reiss acknowledged the recurring issues, he attributed them to the challenges of deep-water exploration rather than blaming OceanGate.
Safety Warnings Ignored: Concerns from Experts
Renowned filmmaker and deep-sea researcher James Cameron criticized the carbon-fibre construction of the Titan submersible, describing it as fundamentally flawed.
Cameron revealed that numerous experts in deep-submergence engineering had written letters to OceanGate, expressing concerns about the experimental nature of the submersible and the need for certification. He drew parallels between the implosion of the Titan and the ill-fated Titanic, emphasizing the disregard for warnings in both cases.
Unravelling the Events: The Implosion and Tragic Outcome
The Titan submersible began its descent to the ocean floor on June 18. Approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the voyage, contact with the surface was lost. The United States Navy later confirmed the detection of an “anomaly consistent with an implosion or explosion” using underwater acoustic equipment on the same day. Although the sound could not definitively be attributed to the Titan, it raised concerns.
After a four-day search-and-rescue operation, the US Coast Guard announced that the Titan had suffered a catastrophic implosion, resulting in debris near the bow of the Titanic. Tragically, all five passengers, including CEO Stockton Rush, researcher Paul-Henri Nargeolet, businessman Hamish Harding, and father and son Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood, lost their lives.
Previous Concerns About Titan’s Safety: Whistleblower Exposes Structural Flaws
In the aftermath of the submersible’s initial disappearance, documents from a 2018 breach-of-contract case were brought to light. OceanGate had sued a former employee, David Lochridge, for disclosing private information. Lochridge, however, claimed to have acted as a whistleblower to ensure the safety of passengers and employees. He cited structural concerns in his counterclaim, including significant tears in the carbon-fibre material due to constant pressure cycling. Lochridge also faced difficulties in obtaining information about pressure test results, encountering hostility when requesting more transparency.
Calls for Regulation in the Wake of Titan’s Implosion
Salvatore Mercogliano, a history professor at Campbell University, believes that the Titan disaster could serve as a catalyst for the implementation of deep-sea regulations.
Currently, submersible adventures like the Titan voyage are subject to less regulation than commercial space trips. This disparity is due to their operation in international waters, beyond the jurisdiction of specific countries. Additionally, since the submersible is towed to the exploration site, it is considered cargo rather than a vessel, thus avoiding stringent regulations that would apply to the transporting boat.
Professor Mercogliano anticipates that the Titan implosion will be a turning point in deep-sea regulation. He draws a parallel to the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, which led to regulations mandating adequate lifeboats for all passengers. Similarly, the tragedy involving the Titan submersible could prompt the establishment of heightened safety standards.
While the ultimate goal is to make deep-sea exploration as routine and safe as other forms of transportation, Mercogliano acknowledges that significant progress is still needed. He envisions a future where descending to depths of 13,000 feet will be a routine endeavor. However, until comprehensive safety standards are in place, there remains work to be done to ensure the protection of passengers and crew.
The investigation into the implosion of the Titan submersible continues, and authorities will closely examine the accounts of former passengers and the concerns raised by experts. The hope is that these tragic events will serve as a catalyst for necessary changes in regulations and safety protocols, ensuring that future deep-sea expeditions can be undertaken with confidence and security.