Faulty Engineering Causes Titan Submersible Tragedy, NTSB Reports

UPDATE: A new report from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirms that faulty engineering was the cause of the fatal implosion of the Titan submersible, which tragically killed five individuals during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic on June 18, 2023. The NTSB’s findings underscore a catastrophic failure in safety standards and engineering practices, raising urgent concerns about the future of submersible exploration.

In its final report, released today, the NTSB revealed that the Titan suffered a fatal failure due to a poorly constructed carbon fiber composite pressure vessel, which had multiple anomalies and did not meet essential strength and durability requirements. The submersible imploded approximately 2 hours into its descent, leading to the immediate death of all on board, including renowned British adventurer Hamish Harding, businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, OceanGate Expeditions’ CEO Stockton Rush, and French deep-sea expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

The report highlights that OceanGate failed to adequately test the Titan, leaving critical durability questions unanswered. Furthermore, it states that had the company adhered to standard emergency response procedures, the search for the submersible might have commenced sooner, potentially saving valuable time and resources, despite the rescue ultimately being impossible.

This report aligns with findings from a previous Coast Guard investigation released in August, which described the Titan’s implosion as a preventable tragedy. The Coast Guard identified significant flaws in OceanGate’s safety protocols, revealing “glaring disparities” between established safety measures and actual operational practices.

Following these catastrophic events, OceanGate suspended its operations in July 2023 and has since been winding down its activities. The company has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the NTSB’s findings, though a spokesperson previously expressed condolences to the families affected by the disaster.

The NTSB is now urging the Coast Guard to commission an expert panel to examine the safety of submersibles and other pressure vehicles used for human occupancy. This study aims to develop new regulations that will ensure safer practices moving forward, especially as private exploration ventures continue to grow in popularity and complexity.

The Titan had been conducting dives to the Titanic site since 2021, and its final voyage became a focal point of international media attention as rescue efforts unfolded. The submersible lost contact with its support vessel approximately 435 miles south of St. John’s, Newfoundland, shortly after beginning its descent. A massive search operation involving ships, planes, and advanced equipment was launched as the world held its breath, hoping for miraculous news that never came.

As investigations continue, the NTSB’s findings serve as a somber reminder of the inherent risks associated with deep-sea exploration and the need for stringent safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.