Crew's final words and new footage of wreck: Key takeaways from Titan sub hearings
In June of last year, a tragic incident occurred involving a submersible named Titan, which was operated by a company called OceanGate. The Titan was on a mission to explore the wreck of the Titanic, a famous ship that sank in 1912. Unfortunately, during its descent, the Titan imploded, resulting in the loss of all five individuals on board. In the aftermath of this disaster, the US Coast Guard has been conducting hearings to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and to gather insights that could help prevent similar tragedies in the future. Here are some key takeaways from the hearings that have taken place. One of the most poignant moments revealed during the hearings was the last communication from the Titan crew. Just before losing contact with the support ship above, the crew sent a message stating, 'All good here. ' This message was part of a series of communications exchanged between the Titan and its mother ship as they descended to the ocean floor. Investigators noted that communication was inconsistent throughout the dive. Approximately one hour into their descent, the Titan sent a final message from a depth of 3,346 meters, indicating that they had dropped two weights to assist with their dive. After this message, all communication was lost, leaving the fate of the crew uncertain. Renata Rojas, a mission specialist who volunteered for the Titan expedition, shared her memories of the crew before their descent. She recalled seeing 'five people smiling' as they prepared to board the submersible. They appeared excited and eager for the adventure ahead. However, as time passed and communication ceased, Renata began to worry and asked her colleagues about the crew's whereabouts. Although she had previously participated in a dive to the Titanic wreck with OceanGate, she admitted that the Titan was not classified or registered, which raised concerns about its safety. Despite knowing the risks involved, she stated that she never felt unsafe during the mission. Another significant testimony came from David Lochridge, a former operations director at OceanGate. He testified that he had raised safety concerns about the Titan before being dismissed from the company in 2018. Lochridge expressed his belief that the tragedy was 'inevitable' due to the company's disregard for standard safety protocols. He claimed that his warnings were ignored and that the design of the Titan, particularly its use of carbon fiber, was flawed. According to Lochridge, the company prioritized profit over safety, stating that 'there was very little in the way of science' in their operations. The hearings also included the release of new footage showing the wreckage of the Titan on the ocean floor. The video, captured by a remotely operated vehicle, displayed the Titan with the OceanGate logo and debris scattered around it. The footage revealed parts of the submersible, including its tail and various wires and gauges. This visual evidence provided further insight into the condition of the Titan after its implosion. Lastly, Patrick Lahey, the co-founder and CEO of Triton, a leading submersible manufacturer, shared his thoughts on the Titan. He expressed that the submersible was 'not ready for primetime' and emphasized the importance of certifying submersibles through rigorous safety assessments conducted by independent marine organizations. Lahey had toured the Titan during a vacation in the Bahamas and was not impressed by its design and construction. He noted that many aspects of the submersible appeared poorly executed and lacked the necessary attention to detail. Lahey's concerns were shared with OceanGate prior to the incident, highlighting the need for improved safety measures in the industry.
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"The crew was trying to reach the bottom of the ocean to see the Titanic wreck."
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