The implosion of the Titan submersible that killed five people two years ago was preventable according to a release from the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation, Tuesday.
The Titan sub caught global attention in June 2023 when it lost communication off the coast of Newfoundland on its way to observe the wreckage of the Titanic.
This sparked a massive multi-national search that last four days until debris of the sub was found.
The vessel was owned by OceanGate Expeditions, they’ve been studying the wreckage of the Titanic for two years prior to the implosion.
The roughly 300-page ROI says the board determined the primary factors in the tragedy were “OceanGate’s inadequate design, certification, maintenance and inspection process.”
Other things that contributed were a “toxic workplace culture”.
“There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework. I am optimistic the ROI’s findings and recommendations will help improve awareness of the risks and the importance of proper oversight while still providing a pathway for innovation,” says Jason Neubauer, Titan MBI chair.
The report says the ROI includes 17 safety recommendations aimed at “strengthening oversight of commercial operations, improving coordination among federal agencies and closing gaps in international maritime policies.”
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