Gina Heslop
The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate, embarked on an expedition to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. Tragically, the sub lost contact with its mother ship, the Polar Prince, and four days later, it exploded due to extreme pressure, resulting in the deaths of all five crew members.
José Luis Martín, an engineer and submarine expert, speculated on the crew’s final moments, suggesting that they would have been aware of their impending doom between 48 and 71 seconds before the fatal implosion. Martín theorized that the sub descended vertically and uncontrolled for about 2,900 feet, causing the crew members to lose balance and fall on top of one another.
Describing the scene as resembling a horror movie, he highlighted the horror, fear, and agony they must have experienced. Prior to the incident, concerns about the safety of the sub had been raised. Emails obtained by The New Yorker revealed that a former employee of OceanGate, David Lochridge, had expressed reservations about the CEO, Stockton Rush, and the sub’s safety. Lochridge had identified various issues, including peeled adhesive and poorly positioned mounting bolts.
However, Lochridge’s concerns were dismissed, and he was subsequently fired in 2018. The tragedy of the Titan sub has shocked the world and highlighted the importance of stringent safety procedures in deep-sea exploration missions.
