A Year After The Tragic Titan Submersible Incident: Remembering The Lives Lost

Tuesday, June 18, marks the one-year anniversary from when the Titan submersible first began traveling underwater toward the wreckage of the Titanic before imploding. The story of the Titan submersible is one of ambition and tragedy, reminding us of the risks inherent in exploring the depths of the ocean. Operated by OceanGate Expeditions, this underwater adventure aimed to revisit the famous wreck of the Titanic, a site that has fascinated many since the ship sank in 1912.

On June 18, 2023, the Titan submersible set out on its ill-fated journey into the Atlantic Ocean, aiming to explore the Titanic's ruins. The Titanic itself met a tragic end after colliding with an iceberg on its maiden voyage, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,500 lives. As the Titan descended to the wreck, it embarked on a journey that would soon end in catastrophe.

The wreck of the Titanic lies approximately 12,500 feet below sea level, a challenging depth that only a few submersibles can reach. According to OceanGate, the Titan was one of just five submersibles worldwide capable of making such deep dives. Aboard the Titan were notable figures including Captain Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman, Titanic researcher Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush.

Sadly, after losing contact with the Titan just hours into its dive, the U.S. Coast Guard later confirmed that all five individuals on board had perished. Reports indicated that the debris found was consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber, raising serious concerns about the safety protocols in place. Following this tragedy, many have questioned whether the full wreckage of the Titan and the remains of those lost have been properly recovered.

Investigators were able to uncover human remains among the wreckage, discovered by deep-sea robots in close proximity to the Titanic. In the months following the incident, the U.S. Coast Guard issued statements regarding the ongoing recovery efforts, further highlighting the complexities involved in such deep-sea operations.

The salvage mission, which was conducted under an existing agreement with the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage & Diving, followed initial recovery operations after the loss of the Titan submersible. Investigators from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada joined the salvage expedition as part of their respective safety investigations.

On June 10, the U.S. Coast Guard provided an updated statement, indicating that the Titan Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) is still in the fact-finding phase and collecting all relevant evidence. The timeline for completing this investigation remains uncertain, but a public hearing will be scheduled with at least 60 days' notice given ahead of the event.

In the wake of the tragedy, one of OceanGate’s former employees filed a lawsuit over safety issues, emphasizing concerns that have lingered in the aftermath. Notably, explorer Chris Brown had planned to participate in a dive to the Titanic wreck but withdrew due to perceived risks associated with the Titan, which utilized off-the-shelf components, including a modified gaming controller.

Despite the controversies surrounding safety, billionaire real estate investor Larry Connor has announced plans to venture to the Titanic wreckage. Connor's ambition, shared in conversation with Patrick Lahey, co-founder and CEO of Triton, underscores the ongoing fascination with the Titanic and the desire to prove that deep-sea exploration can be conducted safely and successfully.