An ocean floor investigation for a submersible, named the “Titan”, has ended in a tragic realization. The Titan had been destined for the Titanic wreckage, but the submarine went missing.
After an extensive, multi-day search, U.S. officials confirmed the vessel met a sudden and severe collapse, causing the loss of five explorers onboard.
The “Titan” was exploring the deep-sea wreckage of the Titanic, in the North Atlantic Ocean, when it lost contact with its base ship. This sparked a considerable search operation to locate it. Debris from the submersible was discovered around 1,600 feet from the Titanic’s bow, resting about 13,000 feet deep in the ocean.
An acoustic signature matching an implosion was detected by the Navy in the area where communication was lost with the “Titan”. This sound proved crucial in refining the search area.
OceanGate Expeditions, the company operating the “Titan”, announced the tragic loss of the five people aboard: their CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
The voyage was part of a $250,000 adventure experience to explore the iconic Titanic wreckage, signifying the enduring interest in the Titanic’s history, more than a hundred years since it sank. The journey was also representative of the increasing popularity of extreme tourism among wealthy adventurers.
However, the tragic incident has cast a spotlight on OceanGate’s safety procedures. The company had chosen not to pursue a rigorous, voluntary safety review of the vessel.
Former employees of OceanGate had raised concerns about the safety and structural integrity of the “Titan”, especially its hull made from an experimental blend of carbon fiber and titanium.