As the anniversary of it’s fateful final journey to visit the Titanic, we revist the OceanGate Titan trajedy, and ask “what went wrong?”
The fateful journey of OceanGate’s Titan submersible on June 18, 2023, captivated the world with its tragic outcome. Stockton Rush, CEO of OceanGate, famously stated, “There are three words in the English language which are known throughout the planet: Coca-Cola, God, and Titanic.” His fascination with the Titanic, which rests approximately 12,500 feet below the Atlantic Ocean, led him to develop a unique business venture.
Rush’s ambition resulted in the creation of the Titan, a submersible designed to take paying customers to the Titanic’s remains, with each ticket costing up to $250,000. However, this expedition ended in disaster, costing the lives of five individuals deep beneath the ocean’s surface.
Table of Contents
The Origin of OceanGate and Stockton Rush’s Vision
Stockton Rush’s aspirations of space exploration began in his youth, with dreams of becoming the first person on Mars. He pursued these ambitions by earning a degree in aerospace engineering from Princeton University in 1984. His early career included a role as a flight test engineer for the F-15 fighter aircraft, after which he moved to the Pacific Northwest in the late 1980s to manage “Remote Control Technology,” a company focused on radio-frequency wireless remote controls.
Rush’s interests eventually shifted to ocean exploration. Unable to purchase an existing submarine, he decided to build his own using Navy blueprints, resulting in a submersible capable of reaching depths of 33 feet. However, this modest depth did not satisfy his desire for deep-sea exploration. In 2009, he founded OceanGate with the goal of offering deep-sea adventures to paying customers.
Rush’s approach to safety was unconventional, famously saying, “If you just want to be safe, don’t get out of bed, don’t get in your car, don’t do anything. I think I can do this just as safely by breaking the rules.” This cavalier attitude foreshadowed the tragedy that would later unfold.
The Development and Design of the Titan Submersible
OceanGate’s Titan, initially named Cyclops, was developed with significant input from marine engineers. The submersible, built with a carbon fiber and titanium hull, was designed to reach unprecedented depths. Despite its innovative design, numerous experts voiced concerns about its safety and structural integrity.
In 2022, Rush provided a guided tour of the Titan to the media, revealing its compact interior with a single toilet, three monitors, and one small window. The vessel’s controls, operated by a modified video game controller, drew skepticism for their simplicity and perceived lack of sophistication.
The Final Expedition and Its Tragic End
The Titan had successfully completed three trips to the Titanic since 2021. On June 18, 2023, it embarked on what would be its final voyage, with Stockton Rush, businessman Hamish Harding, Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman Dawood on board.
Launching from its mother ship, the “Polar Prince,” at 8:00 am, the planned eight-hour trip included a descent to the Titanic, three hours of exploration, and a return to the surface. Initial communications with the Polar Prince were regular, but contact ceased by late morning.
At the same time, the Navy detected a sound consistent with the implosion of a submersible. Hours turned into days with no contact from the Titan, prompting a search operation. Sonar equipment detected unexplained banging noises, speculated to be signals for help from the passengers.
Unraveling the Causes of the Catastrophic Failure
The Titan’s catastrophic implosion raised numerous questions. Experts pointed to the vessel’s carbon fiber construction, which is less stable under extreme pressure compared to titanium. The sub’s elongated shape may have unevenly distributed pressure, contributing to its failure. Additionally, the use of a video game controller for navigation highlighted the submersible’s lack of advanced technological safeguards.
Rush’s dismissive attitude toward stringent safety measures, combined with design flaws and operational failures, likely led to the disaster. Previous test dives had revealed issues with thruster control and onboard computers, further highlighting potential vulnerabilities.
The Titan disaster serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with pushing the boundaries of exploration without rigorous adherence to safety protocols. Stockton Rush’s ambition and disregard for conventional safety standards ultimately resulted in a tragic loss, underscoring the importance of cautious innovation in the pursuit of the unknown.
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