The investigation has highlighted critical gaps in the company's operational standards
A US Coast Guard investigatory panel is set to hear testimony from Fred Hagen, a mission specialist who worked with OceanGate, the company behind the Titan submersible that tragically imploded during a dive to the Titanic wreck in June 2023.
According to a report from Associated Press (AP), Hagen’s testimony will begin on Friday, following three days of hearings that have raised significant questions about the company’s operational practices leading up to the disaster.
The hearings commenced on September 16, as part of a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the implosion that killed five individuals, including OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush. AP noted the focus has largely been on the issues faced by the Washington state company prior to the ill-fated dive.
During Thursday’s session, Steven Ross, OceanGate’s scientific director, revealed that the Titan experienced a malfunction just days before the scheduled dive to the Titanic. This revelation follows earlier testimony from former operations director David Lochridge, who characterized the company as more focused on profit than scientific exploration.
“The whole idea behind the company was to make money,” Lochridge stated, adding that he often disagreed with Rush over the company’s priorities.
Source: US Coast Guard Video courtesy Pelagic Research Services
The panel has heard varied perspectives on the role of mission specialists—individuals who paid a fee to participate in the submersible’s explorations, according to AP.
While Lochridge’s testimony painted a picture of a profit-driven organization, mission specialist Renata Rojas offered a contrasting viewpoint. Rojas described her experience with OceanGate as one of collaboration and passion for exploration, saying, “I was learning a lot and working with amazing people.”
Among the other witnesses scheduled for Friday are engineer Dave Dyer from the University of Washington Applied Physics Lab and Patrick Lahey from Triton Submarines. AP noted that the hearings are expected to continue through September 27.
The investigation has highlighted critical gaps in the company’s operational standards. Coast Guard officials noted that the Titan had not undergone independent review, a practice typically adhered to in the field of underwater exploration. This absence of oversight, coupled with the Titan’s unconventional design, has drawn scrutiny from industry experts.
Source: US Coast Guard Video courtesy Pelagic Research Services
The implosion of the Titan on June 18, 2023, occurred shortly after the crew lost contact during their descent. Communication records indicate that the final message from the crew to the support ship, Polar Prince, stated, “all good here,” shortly before the submersible was lost, AP noted. Four days later, the wreckage was located approximately 330 yards from the Titanic’s bow.
Source: United States Coast Guard
In the wake of the disaster, OceanGate suspended its operations and currently has no full-time employees, although an attorney is representing the company during the hearings, as noted by AP.
As the Coast Guard continues its investigation, the implications of the Titan’s implosion raise vital questions about industry regulations and the responsibilities of companies engaging in deep-sea exploration. OceanGate has stated that it is fully cooperating with both the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as they seek to determine the factors contributing to this catastrophic incident.
