Final Message From ‘Titan’ Sub Revealed; Photos Of Wreckage Surface

On June 18, 2023, the OceanGate-operated Titan submersible embarked on an expedition to the Titanic wreckage but tragically imploded, killing all five crew members. In response, the U.S. Coast Guard initiated a two-week Marine Board of Investigation to delve into the specifics of the incident. The new inquiry aims to uncover crucial details about the implosion and offer recommendations to avert similar future disasters.

During Monday’s hearing, new evidence was introduced including an animation that detailed the text communications between the Titan and its support vessel, the Polar Prince, as the sub descended toward the ocean floor. Additionally, a remotely operated vehicle provided an image of the Titan’s tail cone lying on the sea floor, a stark testament to the catastrophic event.

The investigation revealed that one of the last communications from the Titan crew was a routine check-in message stating “all good here,” sent to the Polar Prince shortly before the vessel imploded. The message, initially perceived as an assurance of safety, became the poignant last words from the crew, highlighting the sudden and unforeseen nature of the tragedy.

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The Titan submersible, developed by OceanGate Inc., gained worldwide attention after a tragic incident last year. Designed as a deep-sea exploration vehicle, the Titan was intended to take tourists, researchers, and adventurers to the depths of the ocean, specifically to view the wreckage of the Titanic, which lies about 12,500 feet below the surface in the North Atlantic.

The submersible itself was a state-of-the-art, carbon fiber and titanium vessel, designed to withstand the extreme pressures found at such depths. It was equipped with advanced navigation and communication systems and could hold up to five people: a pilot and four passengers. Despite these technological advancements, the Titan faced criticism for its safety protocols and engineering. Some experts raised concerns about the structural integrity of using carbon fiber in such extreme conditions.

In June 2023, during one of its expeditions to the Titanic wreck, the submersible lost communication with the surface vessel after descending. A massive search and rescue operation was launched, involving both private and governmental resources, including deep-sea robots and military support. Days later, debris from the Titan was discovered near the Titanic site, confirming a catastrophic implosion had occurred. All five individuals on board, including OceanGate’s CEO Stockton Rush, were presumed dead.

Pieces of debris from the doomed sub that carried five people to the wreckage of the Titanic have been pulled from the ocean and returned to land. https://t.co/0apdiUQIk4 pic.twitter.com/yBZHUXn7jA

— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 28, 2023

Tony Nissen, formerly the engineering director at OceanGate, described the evidence he reviewed as “disturbing… professionally and personally.” Nissen criticized the late CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, who was also aboard the ill-fated Titan, for his leadership style. He mentioned that Rush dominated the engineering decisions, often proving challenging to collaborate with.

“Stockton would fight for what he wanted and, even if it changed from day to day, he wouldn’t give an inch,” Nissen said according to BBC News. “Most people would eventually back down to Stockton, it was death by a thousand cuts.” Following the tragic event, OceanGate halted all of its exploration and commercial activities.

The tragedy ignited a conversation about the risks of deep-sea tourism and the regulations surrounding experimental underwater vehicles. While OceanGate had touted Titan as an innovative breakthrough in ocean exploration, the disaster showed the dangers inherent in venturing into the most remote and unforgiving environments on Earth.

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