OceanGate: What Went Wrong and Why

The Titan, a carbon fiber and titanium vessel designed for extreme depths, was on an expedition to explore the Titanic shipwreck when the submersible lost contact with its support ship, the Polar Prince, shortly after launching off the coast of Newfoundland.

The submersible implosion led to the deaths of all five passengers aboard, including OceanGate’s cofounder and CEO, Stockton Rush.

Despite early hopes, the U.S. Navy had detected an acoustic signature consistent with a catastrophic implosion shortly after Titan lost contact, but this information was not made public until after debris was found.

The U.S. Coast Guard, working alongside Canadian and international partners, launched a massive search effort involving sonar, other equipment and remotely operated vehicles.

After several tense days, debris from the Titan was located on the ocean floor, near the bow of the Titanic. Pieces of the vessel and recovered human remains were later brought to the surface for examination (such as DNA testing).

The Titan's innovative design used carbon fiber, which some experts questioned for its durability at deep-sea pressures. As scrutiny mounted, OceanGate suspended all commercial operations.

A Marine Board of Investigation, the highest level of inquiry conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, was convened to determine what went wrong, including details about the company’s development, fleet and operational standards.

The disaster has raised ethical and safety questions around extreme tourism and deep-ocean exploration.

OceanGate’s approach, once hailed as disruptive, now faces criticism for lacking sufficient engineering oversight. Videos, interviews, and reports, including from the Associated Press, point to concerns that were allegedly downplayed in pursuit of rapid development.

OceanGate held a minority stake in exploration's future, aiming to make deep-sea voyages as accessible as space tourism. Now, after this tragic accident, much of the industry is reevaluating how best to protect lives in high-risk environments.

The five passengers aboard the Titan were not just tourists; they were explorers driven by curiosity. Their loss serves as a solemn reminder of both the promise and peril that comes with reaching into Earth’s final frontiers, from the sea floor to the stars.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.