The US Coast Guard kicked off a two-week hearing to investigate the causes behind the tragic implosion of the Titan submersible, which claimed the lives of five individuals on June 18, 2023. The hearing, held on Monday, featured an animation detailing the implosion and presented new information on the communication and events leading up to the fatal accident.
According to reports from The Associated Press, communication between the Titan crew and the surface vessel, Polar Prince, deteriorated shortly after a series of text exchanges regarding the submersible’s depth and weight during its descent toward the Titanic wreck. Despite repeated attempts by the Polar Prince to confirm if the Titan was still visible on its onboard display, the submersible’s final message—received in fragmented form—reported, “all good here.”
Further revelations during the hearing exposed serious concerns regarding Titan’s storage and maintenance before the disaster. AP reported that the vessel had been left exposed to environmental elements for seven months between 2022 and 2023, with its hull never being evaluated by any third-party inspector, a standard safety procedure for such deep-sea explorations.
Tony Nissen, OceanGate’s former engineering director and the hearing’s first witness, testified that operations were often rushed during his tenure. When questioned about potential pressure to launch the Titan prematurely, Nissen responded, “100%,” signaling that the company may have prioritized expediency over thorough testing. Although he stopped short of directly blaming the rush for safety lapses, Nissen admitted that additional time and resources could have led to more comprehensive testing of the submersible.
Nissen also revealed that the Titan was struck by lightning during a 2018 test mission, raising questions about potential damage to its hull. He was later dismissed from OceanGate in 2019 after he refused to allow the submersible to dive to the Titanic. Despite modifications and further tests in subsequent years, Nissen remained skeptical about the safety of the sub, stating that he declined an invitation from OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush to pilot the vessel, saying, “I’m not getting in it.”
The Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation, which is overseeing the inquiry, represents the highest level of marine casualty investigations. Their findings, along with recommendations for future safety protocols, will be submitted to the Coast Guard’s commandant at the conclusion of the hearings. In parallel, the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting its own investigation into the tragedy.
The Titan’s implosion captured global attention as hope for the crew’s survival dwindled. The wreckage was eventually discovered on the ocean floor, approximately 300 meters from the bow of the Titanic.
