One year after the implosion of the Titan submarine OceanGate, the US Coast Guard’s investigation continues

One year after the tragic implosion of the experimental submersible Titan, in which five passengers lost their lives, the U.S. Coast Guard continued its thorough investigation into the cause of the tragedy.

The Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) is working with various organizations and stakeholders to better understand the facts surrounding the incident.

The MBI announced that it plans to hold public hearings from August to December, but specific dates have yet to be confirmed.

Captain Jason Neubauer, Chairman of the MBI, said they were grateful for the international and inter-agency cooperation that was critical to the recovery, preservation and forensic examination of evidence in a remote offshore region and extreme depth.

He stressed that the panel was determined to determine the causes of the implosion in order to prevent similar events in the future.

On June 18, 2023, the commercially operated submersible Titan disappeared near the wreck of the RMS Titanic in the North Atlantic, about 800 nautical miles off Cape Cod.

The submersible carrying Stockton Rush (61), Hamish Harding (58), Paul-Henri Nargeolet (77), Shahzada Dawood (48) and his son Suleman Dawood (19) exploded unexpectedly, killing everyone on board.

Video credits: Global News/YouTube

Four days later, the U.S. Coast Guard, with the assistance of the anchor operator Horizon Arctic and an ROV from Pelagic Research Services, discovered wreckage on the seabed and possibly human remains.

The Phoenix International ship and ROV team conducted further recovery missions to collect additional debris.

The MBI faces several challenges in this investigation, including the submarine’s unusual carbon fiber construction and legal complexities involving five agencies: the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Canadian Coast Guard, the Canadian Transportation Safety Board (TSB) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

The US Navy is also supporting the investigation of the site.

The Coast Guard has dismissed a false transcript of the Titan’s final voyage that appeared on social media in 2023.

Captain Neubauer confirmed that he was convinced that it was a false transcript and stated that it contradicted the actual communications records from Titan’s mothership, the Polar Prince.

Until the investigation is completed, these legitimate records remain confidential.

Following the incident, OceanGate ceased all activities and deactivated its social media profiles.

As the investigation is ongoing, the future of OceanGate is uncertain.

Captain Neubauer explained that they are working closely with their domestic and foreign partners to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the incident.

Through its commitment to finding the truth, the MBI aims to honor the memory of the victims and prevent a repetition of such tragedies.

The United States Coast Guard would like to express its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the five fatalities.

Reference: CBS News

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