Titan Co-Founder Aims to Build a Fleet of Submersibles

The co-founder of the company behind the ill-fated Titan submersible, which tragically imploded while attempting to reach the Titanic wreck, articulated the ambitious vision that inspired its creation. Guillermo Sohnlein, in testimony to the U.S. Coast Guard, revealed that the goal was to establish a fleet of deep-water submersibles capable of diving up to 6,500 yards, without the need for a dedicated mothership.

“Our aim was to provide humanity with improved access to the ocean, particularly the deep ocean,” Sohnlein explained. While he stepped away from OceanGate prior to the disaster in June 2023, he defended the company’s aspirations and acknowledged its mission.

The tragic incident claimed the lives of Stockton Rush, the company’s CEO, along with four others aboard the Titan. In the aftermath, a public hearing initiated by the Coast Guard has been scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding the implosion. Testimonies have illustrated significant internal discord within OceanGate, with former operations director David Lochridge disclosing frequent clashes with Rush and a prevailing focus on profit over scientific exploration.

“The foundation of the company appeared solely aimed at generating revenue, with minimal emphasis on scientific endeavors,” Lochridge stated during the hearing.

Further testimonies from key figures, including former engineering director Phil Brooks and Roy Thomas of the American Bureau of Shipping, are anticipated throughout this week. These discussions are expected to shed more light on the company’s operations and unearth the pressures that led to the Titan’s creation and eventual implosion.

Lochridge characterized OceanGate’s management as impatient and eager to launch their uniquely designed craft, despite concerns. This accident ignited a global conversation about the safety and future of private undersea exploration.

Steven Ross, who serves as the scientific director for OceanGate, reported that the Titan encountered operational issues mere days before its fateful dive into the North Atlantic. Coast Guard investigators highlighted that the submersible did not undergo the standard independent review process, raising questions about the safety protocols in place.

Following the tragedy, OceanGate suspended its operations and currently employs no full-time staff, having been represented solely by legal counsel during the hearings.

On June 18, 2023, during Titan’s last voyage, the crew lost all communication after discussing the submersible’s weight and depth. The support vessel named Polar Prince made several attempts to regain contact, querying if Titan could still visualize the ship’s position on its display.

The last correspondence from Titan’s team reported, “all good here,” according to a reconstruction shown in the hearing. When the Titan was later reported overdue, rescue operations rapidly deployed ships, planes, and equipment to a location approximately 435 miles south of Newfoundland.

Subsequent recovery efforts located Titan’s wreckage on the ocean floor, roughly 330 yards from the Titanic. Unfortunately, no individuals aboard survived the implosion.

In a recent revelation, the Coast Guard showcased new imagery depicting the remains of the Titan resting over 12,000 feet beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.

OceanGate affirmed its commitment to fully cooperate with ongoing investigations led by both the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The Titan had been conducting expeditions to the Titanic wreck site since 2021.

In addition to Stockton Rush, the implosion resulted in the deaths of veteran Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood, as well as British adventurer Hamish Harding.

Last month, Nargeolet’s family pursued legal action, filing a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against OceanGate. Nargeolet, renowned as “Mr. Titanic,” completed 37 dives to the Titanic site, making him the diver with the most experience in exploring the area.

As the Coast Guard hearing continues, the tragic events surrounding the Titan submersible’s implosion raise substantial questions about the future of deep-sea exploration and the safety measures essential to protecting those who venture into the ocean’s depths.

Source: CBS News