The Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigations is currently examining the catastrophic implosion of the submersible Titan.
According to The Western Journal, the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigations shared a never-before-seen video as part of ongoing hearings into the tragic incident that claimed five lives.
The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) footage, captured at a depth of over 3,700 meters, reveals the submersible's tail cone partially buried in the ocean floor with visible damage. Scattered debris can be seen in the surrounding area, providing a somber glimpse into the catastrophic event.
According to information presented at the hearing, the Titan maintained communication with its support ship, the Polar Prince, for approximately 1.5 hours after beginning its descent.
The last message from the submersible, received when it was 3,346 meters below the surface, stated "dropped two wts." This cryptic communication, sent just six seconds before all contact was lost, has led to speculation that the crew may have been attempting to surface due to a potential problem.
Moments after the final message, the support ship attempted to ping the Titan but received no response, marking the beginning of the search and rescue operation that would ultimately confirm the worst.
During the ongoing investigation, testimony from former OceanGate employees has shed light on potential safety issues surrounding the Titan submersible.
Tony Nissen, a former engineering director at OceanGate, revealed that he had refused to approve the Titan for diving due to concerns about its hull integrity. Nissen cited a lightning strike and a crack in the hull as factors contributing to his decision.
Additionally, Tym Catterson, a former OceanGate contractor, expressed his own reservations about the hull's safety. However, he stated that CEO Stockton Rush, who was among those who perished in the incident, had dismissed these concerns.
Catterson provided insight into the likely final moments of the Titan, describing a catastrophic and instantaneous failure of the submersible's hull. He stated:
The failure happened at the forward glue line at the ring. That thing was sheared off smooth, so this had to have happened extraordinarily fast, which means the people in there, they had no idea this was coming.
The Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation, led by Jason Neubauer, aims to gather crucial safety information to prevent similar tragedies in the future. If the investigation uncovers evidence of negligence, misconduct, or potential criminal behavior, the case could be referred to the Justice Department for further action.
The Titan's implosion resulted in the deaths of all five individuals aboard, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, passengers Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
The newly released footage and ongoing hearings continue to provide crucial insights into the Titan submersible tragedy. The video evidence confirms the catastrophic implosion, while testimony from former employees raises questions about safety practices. As the investigation proceeds, authorities aim to prevent future incidents and determine if any negligence contributed to the disaster that claimed five lives during the ill-fated expedition to the Titanic wreckage.
