Hearing Could Answer Key Questions About How Titan Submersible Imploded
Posted on 09/16/2024
A far-reaching investigation into how the Titan submersible imploded deep in the ocean last year is moving into a new stage this week, potentially providing crucial fresh details about the catastrophe that killed all five people on board.
Exactly what led to the destruction of the submersible in June 2023, as it was taking passengers on a tour to the Titanic shipwreck, has been the subject of an inquiry by the Coast Guard for more than a year. But much of that work has taken place out of view from the public, with few new disclosures about what went wrong.
On Monday, the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation began holding its first public hearing on the disaster. The proceedings began in the morning with an overview of the investigation, that was set to include an animation depicting what investigators have learned about the implosion.
The board will then begin calling the first of two dozen witnesses who will testify over the next two weeks. Among them are former employees of OceanGate, the underwater exploration company that operated the submersible, and safety and marine experts who have insight into what caused the fatal event. The board is also likely to discuss evidence it has already gathered, including details about the Titan’s design and the company’s safety guidelines.
The biggest question for investigators is what caused the Titan to implode, an answer that is crucial to preventing any future accidents. They will specifically try to determine if there were flaws in the design of the submersible or the materials it was built with.
The chief executive of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, who died in the implosion, was warned years earlier by submersible and ocean experts that his methods were still experimental and could have devastating results.
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Exactly what led to the destruction of the submersible in June 2023, as it was taking passengers on a tour to the Titanic shipwreck, has been the subject of an inquiry by the Coast Guard for more than a year. But much of that work has taken place out of view from the public, with few new disclosures about what went wrong.
On Monday, the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation began holding its first public hearing on the disaster. The proceedings began in the morning with an overview of the investigation, that was set to include an animation depicting what investigators have learned about the implosion.
The board will then begin calling the first of two dozen witnesses who will testify over the next two weeks. Among them are former employees of OceanGate, the underwater exploration company that operated the submersible, and safety and marine experts who have insight into what caused the fatal event. The board is also likely to discuss evidence it has already gathered, including details about the Titan’s design and the company’s safety guidelines.
The biggest question for investigators is what caused the Titan to implode, an answer that is crucial to preventing any future accidents. They will specifically try to determine if there were flaws in the design of the submersible or the materials it was built with.
The chief executive of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, who died in the implosion, was warned years earlier by submersible and ocean experts that his methods were still experimental and could have devastating results.
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