Nearly a year after the tragic incident involving the OceanGate Titan submersible, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals, the U.S. Coast Guard has provided an update on the ongoing investigation. The Coast Guard stated that they are still actively looking into the factors that led to the implosion of the submersible, causing the deaths of U.K. billionaire Hamish Harding, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, father-son duo Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood, and French mariner Paul-Henry Nargeolet. However, the investigation is taking longer than initially anticipated to complete.
The fatal incident occurred on June 18 last year, during the submersible’s descent to the depths of the North Atlantic to view the wreck of the Titanic. The vessel imploded at a perilous depth of 12,500 feet below the surface, claiming the lives of the five passengers aboard. Coast Guard’s Marine Board Investigation (MBI) Chair, Jason Neubauer, described the investigation as a complex and ongoing effort that involves collaboration with domestic and international partners to gain a comprehensive understanding of the tragedy.
Initially, the Coast Guard had anticipated completing the investigation within a year, but due to various factors, including the need for two salvage missions to retrieve crucial evidence and extensive forensic testing, the timeline has been extended. The MBI expressed gratitude for the international and inter-agency cooperation that has facilitated the recovery, preservation, and forensic analysis of evidence from the remote and deep-sea location. The ultimate goal of the investigation is to identify the factors that led to the catastrophic event and prevent similar incidents in the future.
In light of the approaching one-year anniversary of the tragedy, the MBI conveyed its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims. Following the loss of contact with the mothership last year, a search operation was launched to locate the submersible, with initial hopes of finding survivors. However, the wreckage was discovered near the Titanic site, and the vessel was eventually brought to the surface for examination.
It was confirmed that the passengers met their demise due to a “catastrophic implosion” of the submersible, with the Navy detecting an underwater noise consistent with such an event on the day of the incident. Presumed human remains were also recovered during the salvage operation, prompting medical professionals to conduct a formal analysis.
The MBI plans to conduct a public hearing session by the end of the year to further address the investigation. The comprehensive review aims to shed light on the circumstances leading to the tragedy and ensure that lessons are learned to prevent similar occurrences in the future.