Last Messages from Doomed Titan Submersible Are Revealed

During a recent Coast Guard hearing, it was unveiled that one of the last messages from the crew aboard the Titan submersible before its tragic implosion was reassurance, stating, “all good here.” This communication occurred just moments before the experimental vessel suffered catastrophic failure, resulting in the loss of all five individuals on board. The hearing kicked off with a visual re-creation of the Titan’s ill-fated journey to the Titanic wreck, setting the stage for examining the circumstances surrounding the disaster.

The U.S. Coast Guard showcased an animation on the first day of this anticipated two-week hearing, which aims to uncover the factors leading to the implosion. As part of the presentation, it was detailed that the Titan’s crew was engaged in text exchanges with personnel aboard the support ship, the Polar Prince. Contact was lost shortly after discussions regarding the submersible’s depth and ballast began, just moments before they confirmed their depth levels. The last few messages indicated increasing concern, with the Polar Prince repeatedly inquiring if the Titan could still see the ship.

On June 18, 2023, the Titan imploded, igniting a global discourse regarding the future of private deep-sea exploration. Before the incident, the submersible had reportedly been exposed to the elements for an extended period while in storage. The Coast Guard noted that the Titan’s hull had not undergone the standard third-party review processes typically mandated for such vessels. This absence of oversight raised significant scrutiny among experts in the underwater exploration field.

The Marine Board of Investigation, which conducts the highest level of marine casualty investigations for the Coast Guard, has taken the lead on this case. As the hearings progress, findings and recommendations will be directed to the commandant of the Coast Guard. Concurrently, the National Transportation Safety Board is also carrying out its assessment of the incident.

Jason Neubauer, who leads the Coast Guard’s investigative efforts, expressed profound condolences to the families impacted by this tragedy, emphasizing the hope that the hearing would help clarify the causes behind the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future. Among those who tragically lost their lives in the event was Stockton Rush, co-founder of OceanGate, the company responsible for the Titan, which subsequently grounded all operations following the submersible’s implosion.

The first witness to testify was Tony Nissen, the former engineering director for OceanGate. He revealed that he had felt immense pressure to prepare the Titan for operations during his tenure at the company. Responding to a question about whether he felt compelled to launch the Titan into the water, he emphatically stated, “100%.” Notably, he also testified that safety decisions and testing may have been jeopardized due to such pressures, although he hesitated to fully affirm this possibility.

Nissen recounted a distressing event from 2018, when the Titan was struck by lightning during a test mission, which he suggested may have compromised its hull. He shared that he had previously refused to pilot the submersible towards the Titanic and expressed lack of trust in the operations staff when asked to take control. Describing Stockton Rush’s management style, Nissen noted the co-founder was often difficult to work with, particularly regarding project timelines and budget constraints.

Other former OceanGate executives, including a former finance director and contractor, are scheduled to testify during the hearings. However, some key figures, such as Rush’s widow, Wendy Rush, known for her role as the company’s communications director, will not be appearing to provide testimony. The Coast Guard opted not to disclose the reasoning behind not summoning specific individuals for testimony during the ongoing investigation.

The implosion also claimed the lives of renowned Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, as well as two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman. The families of the victims have initiated legal actions against OceanGate, one filed last month by Nargeolet’s family, claiming wrongful death and highlighting a concerning history of the submersible’s reliability.

After losing contact with the Polar Prince, search efforts were launched, culminating in locating the Titan’s wreckage on the ocean floor, roughly 330 yards from the Titanic. The significance of this event has caught widespread media attention, with curiosity surrounding the submersible’s tragic fate and its implications for the future of deep-sea exploration.

The investigation initially aimed for a one-year timeframe but has extended, with officials emphasizing a thorough examination of all aspects related to the Titan’s loss, including mechanical integrity and regulatory compliance. As part of ongoing investigations, additional testimonies from industry experts and representatives are anticipated in the coming days.

Source: original news outlet