The US Coast Guard has released the first image of the Titan submersible , which tragically imploded in June 2023, claiming the lives of five passengers. The image was revealed during a public hearing, offering a glimpse into the catastrophic event.
Alongside the image, a text conversation between the Titan crew and its support ship, Polar Prince, was disclosed, showing the crew’s chilling final message: “All good here,” sent as the submersible continued its descent.
The message was followed by the loss of contact and the subsequent implosion of the vessel. The Titan was on an expedition to explore the Titanic wreck when it succumbed to intense ocean pressure off the coast of Newfoundland.
OceanGate faces backlash over submersible design
OceanGate, the company responsible for the development of the Titan, has faced severe backlash following the tragedy. Employees and whistleblowers have raised concerns about the design and safety of the submersible. The company's decisions have come under scrutiny, particularly the choice of materials used in the Titan’s construction.
In one of the final messages sent to Polar Prince, the Titan crew informed the support ship that they had “dropped two wts,” meaning they had jettisoned two measures of weight in an attempt to ascend. However, shortly after, communication was lost, and the vessel ultimately imploded.
Concerns over construction materials and launch pressure
During the hearing, Tony Nissen, the former engineering director at OceanGate, testified about the pressure he faced to accelerate the launch of the Titan, despite his reservations about the sub’s readiness.
Another contractor, Tym Catterson, expressed concerns regarding the materials used in constructing the vessel. He specifically questioned the use of carbon fibre and titanium in a submersible designed to withstand extreme oceanic pressure.
“I don’t believe that the composites are the correct material for a pressure vessel that’s experiencing external compression,” Catterson said, adding that he had expressed his doubts to several employees within OceanGate.
Investigating the tragedy
The hearing, which is set to continue for two weeks, included an animated video recreating the final moments of the Titan before the implosion. The investigation aims to uncover any misconduct or negligence that may have contributed to the incident and assess the decision-making processes behind the vessel’s design and launch.
Remembering the victims
On June 18, 2023, five people lost their lives in the tragic implosion of the Titan. The victims included British explorer Hamish Harding, British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, and renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
The group had embarked on a mission to view the wreckage of the Titanic, which sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg, claiming the lives of over 1,500 people.
Also read: Video of American women discussing 'Indian English' phrases goes viral; ‘loose motion’, ‘dry fruits’ and more
Alongside the image, a text conversation between the Titan crew and its support ship, Polar Prince, was disclosed, showing the crew’s chilling final message: “All good here,” sent as the submersible continued its descent.
The message was followed by the loss of contact and the subsequent implosion of the vessel. The Titan was on an expedition to explore the Titanic wreck when it succumbed to intense ocean pressure off the coast of Newfoundland.
OceanGate faces backlash over submersible design
OceanGate, the company responsible for the development of the Titan, has faced severe backlash following the tragedy. Employees and whistleblowers have raised concerns about the design and safety of the submersible. The company's decisions have come under scrutiny, particularly the choice of materials used in the Titan’s construction.
In one of the final messages sent to Polar Prince, the Titan crew informed the support ship that they had “dropped two wts,” meaning they had jettisoned two measures of weight in an attempt to ascend. However, shortly after, communication was lost, and the vessel ultimately imploded.
Concerns over construction materials and launch pressure
During the hearing, Tony Nissen, the former engineering director at OceanGate, testified about the pressure he faced to accelerate the launch of the Titan, despite his reservations about the sub’s readiness.
Another contractor, Tym Catterson, expressed concerns regarding the materials used in constructing the vessel. He specifically questioned the use of carbon fibre and titanium in a submersible designed to withstand extreme oceanic pressure.
“I don’t believe that the composites are the correct material for a pressure vessel that’s experiencing external compression,” Catterson said, adding that he had expressed his doubts to several employees within OceanGate.
Investigating the tragedy
The hearing, which is set to continue for two weeks, included an animated video recreating the final moments of the Titan before the implosion. The investigation aims to uncover any misconduct or negligence that may have contributed to the incident and assess the decision-making processes behind the vessel’s design and launch.
Remembering the victims
On June 18, 2023, five people lost their lives in the tragic implosion of the Titan. The victims included British explorer Hamish Harding, British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, and renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
The group had embarked on a mission to view the wreckage of the Titanic, which sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg, claiming the lives of over 1,500 people.
Also read: Video of American women discussing 'Indian English' phrases goes viral; ‘loose motion’, ‘dry fruits’ and more
You may also like
$1 million yacht full of fireworks sinks after explosive blaze in California Marina
Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge meets US Ambassador Eric Garcetti; seeks US Consulate in Bengaluru
Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024: JPC meeting concludes; to meet again tomorrow
FIR against Rahul Gandhi: BJP leader Ramesh Dogra accuses Cong leader of 'defaming' PM Modi
