Former employees of OceanGate, the company behind the experimental submersible that imploded en route to the Titanic wreck, will testify before the US Coast Guard's Marine Board of Investigation at a public hearing starting September 16. The Titan submersible's June 2023 implosion resulted in the deaths of all five on board, including company co-founder Stockton Rush, sparking global discussions on private undersea exploration.
The inquiry aims to establish facts and recommend safety improvements to prevent similar incidents. Key witnesses include OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein, as well as the company's former engineering director, operations director, and scientific director. The hearing is slated to last two weeks in Charleston, South Carolina, and will explore aspects such as the submersible's design, regulatory compliance, and emergency responses.
Titan's tragedy highlighted risks linked to forgoing independent design checks. The victims included Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet and prominent Pakistani family members Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman. After losing contact on June 18, 2023, an extensive search followed, culminating in the discovery of Titan's wreckage near the Titanic. The investigation's findings will be summarized in a report once concluded. OceanGate has not publicly commented on the ongoing investigation. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)