Oceangate Titan Submersible Tragedy: After failed attempt to visit Titanic wreck, sub operator suspends expeditions

In the wake of the tragic destruction of its Titan submersible, OceanGate, the US firm responsible for operating the tourist submarine has put a halt to all of its exploration and commercial ventures. The company made this public through a statement on its website.

The US Coast Guard reported last week that what are thought to be human remains and debris from the Titan sub were recovered, found strewn across the ocean floor. The Titan was in the midst of its journey to the wreckage of the Titanic when it catastrophically imploded during its descent on June 18. Four days later, the remains were located around 1,600 feet (488 meters) away from the Titanic's bow.

The horrific incident took the lives of five people, including 61-year-old Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate. Despite having a controversial reputation for bending safety regulations, Rush was an experienced diver who had participated in several successful dives with the Titan. Nevertheless, there were reservations about the sub's safety. Among the other casualties were British-Pakistani entrepreneur Shahzada Dawood, 48, his 19-year-old son Suleman, British businessman Hamish Harding, 58, and Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 77, a former diver in the French navy.

OceanGate had originally planned two more expeditions in June 2024

Before the calamity, OceanGate had planned two more journeys to the secluded depths of the North Atlantic, aiming to explore the 100-year-old ruins of the Titanic in June 2024. These anticipated dives have drawn much attention, and their fate is now uncertain following the company's operational halt.

OceanGate's vision for deep-sea exploration 

In May 2023, OceanGate laid out its plans for the Titanic exploration in a blog post entitled, "How Exploring the Titanic Can Help Us Better Understand the Deep Ocean." The company detailed the mission goals of its scientific team for this year's Titanic Expedition, backed by the OceanGate Foundation.

Under the leadership of Chief Scientist Dr Steve W Ross, the team of researchers from around the globe aimed to characterise the marine life around the Titanic wreck, conduct wide-ranging biodiversity surveys using environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, gather oceanographic data, map benthic habitats, and extend archaeological studies of the wreck and its debris field. They also aimed to visit the Nargeolet-Fanning Ridge, discovered in 2022, to collect data that would supplement the findings from the Titanic site.

Dr Ross stressed the profound impact shipwrecks have on the seafloor over time, lasting for decades, even centuries. He elaborated that the Titanic wreckage offers a unique case study for understanding how manmade structures affect marine ecosystems, as well as how these structures interact with natural elements and life forms.

The preliminary outcomes from the water samples collected the previous year revealed a rich biodiversity at the Titanic wreck site, with a more comprehensive analysis anticipated to yield detailed findings. The insights gained from these dives were meant to enhance our overall scientific understanding and education about the mysteries of our deep oceans.

The Titanic sub investigation continues

The US Coast Guard, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are jointly investigating this incident, which has been designated a significant marine casualty. 

James Cameron, the man who directed the iconic film Titanic, has voiced concerns in the aftermath of the disaster, highlighting the crucial need for submersible vessels to undergo safety certifications by regulatory authorities. His comments came as a response to OceanGate CEO's previously noted dismissal of such regulations.

The investigation's focus has now turned towards understanding the cause behind the implosion. Pertinent questions about the timing and factors leading to the implosion, and its implications for future undersea explorations, remain unanswered.