Weeks ago, news outlets were abuzz over the disappearance and concluded implosion of the Titan submersible. Piloted by chief executive and co-founder of OceanGate Stockton Rush, and carrying four passengers. OceanGate has suspended any and all operations. The announcement comes Thursday in the wake of the disaster. Though this doesn’t come as much of a surprise given the circumstances. OceanGate hasn’t commented any more than that.
The company posted on their website that they have “suspended all exploration and commercial operations.”
The Coast Guard is in the process of retrieving the bits of wreckage left behind by the implosion near the wreck of the Titanic. Remotely operated submersibles (ROVs) have been used to bring the wreckage back up to the surface. And while the coast guard makes mention of examining human remains, it’s hard to think there’s much left. OceanGate is in significant hot water, as the Coast Guard has begin a Marine Board of Investigation. For those not in the know, that’s the highest level investigation that can be enacted. There are plans for a public hearing in the future.
Safety Should Be A Priority, Not A Feature
After the disappearance of the sub, more and more evidence arose concerning the construction of the sub and the blatant disregard for regulations and safety. Videos in which Rush boasted the safety of the sub and his confidence in its construction. As well as an admission of building the sub of materials used in space flight, not meant to withstand the pressures of the ocean depths.
Potential passengers that turned down the invitation to take a tour in the sub, or experienced the sub themselves have come forth about the lack of safety they felt. Including a number of breakdowns and a devil-may-care attitude towards outer damage to the sub’s communication arrays by a ghost net. The conclusion that can be drawn is that the sub itself just wasn’t safe and never had been.
