Washington, United States – A report issued by the US Coast Guard revealed on Tuesday that the 2023 Titan tourist submarine explosion disaster, which killed five people, was the result of “catastrophic negligence”, inadequate safety practices, and disregard for oversight, due to the “poisoned” atmosphere within the operating company Ocean Gate.
The shocking report, which was more than 300 pages long after two years of investigation, described the accident as a “dodable tragedy”, holding the company and its leadership responsible for a systematic failure in all aspects of the submarine’s design, operation and maintenance.
Titan was on a commercial exploration mission to the wreck of the Titanic in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean when it lost contact, in an incident that occupied the international media for several days, before it became clear that the submarine exploded under deep pressure, killing everyone on board.
“This maritime disaster and the loss of five lives could have been completely avoided,” said Jason Nobior, chairman of the Coast Guard’s Naval Investigation Board, according to The Guardian.
Intimidation.. And manipulation of facts
The investigation revealed that the late Ocean Gate CEO, Stockton Rush, who was among the victims, adopted an authoritarian style within the company, repeatedly threatening employees, mocking them, and even firing them when they expressed safety concerns.
The report indicated that the company deliberately misled regulatory authorities and used its scientific reputation as a “cover to bypass oversight”, by reducing approved engineering procedures and falsifying some data.
The report also stated that the Titan submarine suffered additional damage when it was stored outdoors during the Canadian winter of 2023, as it faced repeated cycles of freezing and thawing, which caused the deterioration of its external structure.
The report said that Rush demonstrated gross negligence that contributed to the deaths of four other people, and if he had survived the incident, he would likely have faced criminal charges from the US Department of Justice.
The victims also included French explorer Paul-Henri Nargolet, British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani-British billionaire Shahzadeh Daoud and his son Suleiman (19 years old).
Calls for accountability
In a statement, Daoud’s family said the report “does not change the tragic outcome, nor does it fill the enormous void left by our family members,” but stressed that “accountability and legal amendments must follow this tragedy.”
The family added: “If the legacy of Shahzadeh and Suleiman will contribute to bringing about change that will save future lives, this will give us a measure of peace”.
In the same context, the Nargolet family is still pursuing the company in a compensation lawsuit exceeding $50 million, accusing it of concealing sensitive information about the submarine’s history and durability.
