In June 2023, the Titan submersible imploded during its descent to the Titanic wreck, resulting in the deaths of five people. A Coast Guard investigation into the incident has brought to light a series of technical and operational shortcomings that preceded the tragedy.

The Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation released new details, including internal communications from the support vessel, MV Polar Prince, which recorded over 20 attempts to contact the Titan. The submersible was equipped with an experimental carbon-fiber hull and a single tether, a design that raised concerns among former OceanGate employees. 

David Lochridge, the former director of marine operations at OceanGate, had previously warned of potential safety issues, pointing out that the hull’s integrity was not adequately tested. He was dismissed from his role in 2018 after raising these concerns. Similarly, engineer Karl Stanley, who participated in a test dive in 2019, observed disturbing cracking noises in the hull, describing them as akin to “shouts” rather than “whispers.” He urged OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush to address these issues, but they were reportedly dismissed.

During the ill-fated dive, communication with the Titan was lost after 1 hour and 45 minutes, prompting a delayed response from the support vessel’s crew. It was not until eight hours later that the incident was reported to the Coast Guard. Rescue efforts were eventually abandoned when debris, consistent with a “catastrophic implosion,” was found near the Titanic wreck.

The Coast Guard’s findings suggest that inadequate design, insufficient testing, and a lack of appropriate safety measures may have contributed to the incident. The investigation continues to examine the decisions that led to the deployment of the Titan and the response to its loss.

According to the Coast Guard, the last words from the Titan Submersible were “all good here.”