OceanGate suspends operations following implosion of Titanic sub

OceanGate, the company responsible for the ill-fated submersible that met with disaster during a dive to the Titanic wreckage last month, has announced a suspension of its operations.

A conspicuous red banner appeared on the company’s website, bearing the message: “OceanGate has suspended all exploration and commercial operations,” although no additional details were divulged. Interestingly, just below the announcement, an advertisement for a Titanic expedition lures readers to “explore the world’s most famous shipwreck.”

The tragic incident involving the Titan submersible, which resulted in the loss of all five crew members, including CEO Stockton Rush, has attracted scrutiny. Regulatory authorities in the US and Canada are currently investigating the cause behind the implosion.

The submersible went missing on June 18, prompting a four-day search and rescue effort. Ultimately, authorities determined that the vehicle suffered a “catastrophic implosion” on the day of its disappearance. Portions of the sub were located 488 meters (1,600 feet) away from the Titanic’s bow.

OceanGate faced prior criticism for what some deemed lax safety practices and an apparent willingness to compromise on submersible designs for innovation and cost-cutting purposes. Notably, late CEO Stockton Rush reportedly obtained carbon fiber for the submarine from Boeing at a discounted rate, despite its expired shelf life. This choice of material raised concerns within the deep-submergence engineering community due to its inability to withstand ocean depths’ water pressure.

James Cameron, renowned director of the film Titanic and a deep-sea researcher, labeled the decision to build the submersible with carbon fiber as “fundamentally flawed.” Many in the community expressed apprehension about the sub’s safety and urged the company to seek proper certification.

Despite criticisms, OceanGate representatives have staunchly defended the company’s practices. Guillermo Sohnlein, the co-founder, emphasized Stockton’s commitment to safety, describing him as “very risk-averse.”