On June 19, 2023 the OceanGate submersible initiated its descent to explore the remnants of the Titanic in the Northwestern Atlantic. The submersible had a descent rate of 55 meters per minute, requiring 70 minutes to reach its target depth of 3,800 meters. Each passing minute added 5.3 atmospheres of pressure to the sub’s hull, resulting in a total weight equivalent to 366 Earth atmospheres pressing on an area slightly larger than an A3 paper.
The OceanGate submersible, named Titan, was constructed with Titanian end caps, a large acrylic window, and a filament-wound carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy hull. The engineer focuses on the use of carbon fiber composites, emphasizing their weakness in compressive strength, particularly concerning for submarine hulls exposed to deep-sea pressure.
The descent to the Titanic’s resting place, situated 3,800 meters below the ocean’s surface, was anticipated to take 70 minutes. With each passing minute, 5.3 atmospheres of pressure were added to the sub’s hull, culminating in a total weight equivalent to 366 Earth atmospheres pressing down on an area slightly larger than an A3 paper. This weight, akin to the thrust of a Saturn V F1 engine pressing in from all directions, created an environment where the submersible had to withstand extreme conditions.
At the bottom of the ocean, 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive, the submersible lost contact with the surface, imploding due to the immense pressure. The catastrophic collapse was labeled a tragic accident, but a composite material engineer argues that the failure could have been predicted.
The decision to use carbon fiber composite was justified by the desire for natural buoyancy, crucial for subs to achieve neutral buoyancy, minimizing energy needed to rise or sink. However, the engineer questions OceanGate’s knowledge about the material’s capability for deep-sea applications, especially when faced with extreme pressure.
OceanGate Ignored Warnings
OceanGate’s CEO, Stockton Rush, admitted that they skipped the foam outer layer, typically used with steel or titanium hulls, to save costs. Before the accident in June 2023, a former employee named David Lochridge warned the company about problems with the design and testing methods of their previous submersible, Cyclops 2. Despite Lochridge’s warnings, the company used similar testing methods on Titan 2. (Source)
Titan 2 disappeared during an expedition to explore the wreckage of the Titanic, and it was later discovered that the submersible had imploded. Among the people who died in the incident were the CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, and other notable individuals. The cause of the implosion is still under investigation, but there has been scrutiny of the company’s legal and regulatory history.
David Lochridge was OceanGate’s director of marine operations until he was terminated from the company in 2018, had raised concerns about the safety of the submersibles. He pointed out issues in a “Quality Report” in 2018, mentioning problems with the hull design and testing methods. The company, however, continued using the same testing system on Titan 2.
The report highlighted 25 issues with the submersible, including concerns about the carbon fiber hull’s ability to withstand ocean pressure. Lochridge had suggested alternative testing methods and unmanned trials, but these were dismissed by OceanGate executives. Lochridge was subsequently fired, and legal battles ensued between him and the company.
Despite the warnings and legal disputes, OceanGate proceeded with the development of Titan 2, which eventually imploded during a dive into the Titanic wreckage.
In the aftermath of Lochridge’s warnings and termination, legal battles ensued between him and OceanGate. Lochridge filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) alleging violations of the Seaman’s Protection Act. OSHA initiated a preliminary investigation, but the case was later settled out of court in November 2018. The details of the settlement were not disclosed.
Despite the concerns raised by Lochridge and the legal disputes, OceanGate continued its operations. In October 2019, the Cyclops 2 (Titan) underwent an unmanned pressure test, which failed. The test still utilized the acoustic monitoring system, leading to audible cracking sounds. This reinforced Lochridge’s earlier warnings about the testing methods.
Undeterred, OceanGate proceeded with the development of Titan 2, implementing some changes to address industry criticisms. However, the new submersible still featured a carbon fiber hull and retained the acoustic sensor tests. By 2021, OceanGate conducted successful tests with a scale model of Titan 2, with the acoustic monitors registering sounds quieter than expected.
Titan 2 eventually made 13 successful dives to the Titanic wreckage before its fatal implosion in June 2023. The incident claimed the lives of all five people on board, including OceanGate’s CEO, Stockton Rush. The exact cause of the implosion remains unknown, and investigations by authorities in both the U.S. and Canada are ongoing.
The broader implications of the OceanGate incident may impact the deep-sea exploration industry, prompting a reassessment of safety protocols and testing methods. The text concludes with the acknowledgment that the exact cause of the implosion remains unknown, leaving a significant question mark in the ongoing investigations and legal aftermath surrounding OceanGate and the Titan 2 tragedy.
James Cameron’s Concerns
The OceanGate underwater tragedy drew the attention and concern of renowned Oscar-winning filmmaker and deep-sea explorer James Cameron. As someone who has made 33 trips to the Titanic wreckage site and journeyed solo to the Earth’s deepest point, the Mariana Trench, Cameron expressed sadness over the loss of lives during the ill-fated expedition.
Cameron, in an interview with the New York Times, voiced his dismay about safety issues surrounding the Titan submersible owned by OceanGate. He noted that this incident is a unique and tragic event in the world of deep-sea exploration, emphasizing that people were aware of flaws in OceanGate’s vehicle.
The director criticized the structural weaknesses of the Titan, particularly pointing out the use of carbon-fiber composites, a material he believes is not suitable for deep-sea exploration due to its lack of strength in compression. Cameron described the potential implosion as an extremely violent event, comparing it to “10 cases of dynamite going off.” He also questioned the effectiveness of recent safety measures, including sensors on the submersible’s hull, stating that they would only indicate an impending implosion rather than preventing it.
In an interview with BBC, Cameron highlighted a “terrible irony” in the loss of Titan, drawing parallels to the sinking of the Titanic. He expressed concern over OceanGate not heeding prior warnings, referencing letters from a former employee in 2018 and cautionary messages from the Marine Technology Society.
Cameron criticized OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush’s perspective on safety measures as an ‘impediment to innovation.’ While acknowledging the need for a balance between safety and innovation, Cameron emphasized the responsibility to avoid risking the lives of those who trust in the technology.
During an interview with ABC News, Cameron extended condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and criticized authorities for providing what he deemed as ‘false hope’ during the search and rescue operations. Known for directing blockbuster films like Titanic and Avatar, Cameron underscored the importance of addressing safety concerns in the deep-sea exploration community and learning from this tragic incident.
