US Coast Guard (USCG) Captain Jamie Frederick speaks to reporters about the search efforts for the Titan submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic, at Coast Guard Base in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 21, 2023. The USCG said Wednesday it had not identified the source of underwater noises detected by sonar in the search for the missing submersible. "We don't know what they are, to be frank with you," Frederick said regarding the sounds that had raised hopes the five people onboard are still alive. "We have to remain optimistic and hopeful when you're in a search and rescue case," he told reporters. JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images
OceanGate's submersible submarine was 'unsafe' according to an employee, long before the Titanic mission started.
As detailed by AP News, the employee, David Lochridge will be testifying before the investigators of US Coast Guards who are determining the exact cause of 'Titan' imploding and killing all five men aboard, including OceanGate co-founder, Stockton Rush.
Testimonies for OceanGate's Fatal Titan Submersible
Lochridge, a former OceanGate operations director, revealed that he was terminated after he raised safety concerns. At the time, around 2021, Titan has been diving several times to the Titanic wreckage. Former director of finance and human resources vouched for Lochridge's sentiments, testifying that he called the Tita "unsafe."
At the same time-Tony NIssen, the company's former engineering director, told investigators that he was pressured to get Titan ready. Regardless, he neither confirmed nor deny if this was what ultimately compromised the safety of the submersible.
US News and World reported shared that even Coast Guard officials themselves concluded, at the start of the hearing, that the Titan submersible was not reviewed independently since it's a standard practice. Alongside the submarine's design, these factors will be investigated.
Another OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein, former scientific director Steven Ross, and other important figures are scheduled to testify in the hearing, with the Coast Guard also subpoenaing non-governmental witnesses.
In the same report by AP News, OceanGate will be represented by a lawyer during the investigation and hearing. As a response to new testimonies, the company stated that they are committed to fully cooperating with investigators, Coast Guard and NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board).
After the hearing, the Coast Guard will receive recommendations on what repercussions will be given to OceanGate.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation earlier shared that OceanGate may face regulatory challenges and all similar companies will be striked with stricter safety requirements, considering the Coast Guard and NTSB's goal was to prevent another incident in the future. The worse that could happen to the company is suspended operations, which will make it a challenge to attract investors, clients and partners.
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