Titan Sub Implosion: Coast Guard Report Reveals Who Is at Fault

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New details have surfaced in the Titan submersible tragedy. 

Two years following the OceanGate Expedition ship’s catastrophic collapse, which occurred with five passengers aboard, including CEO Stockton Rush, an investigation by the United States Coast Guard declared the deep-sea exploration company accountable for the “avoidable accident,” as reported by TopMob News.

According to a statement from the US Coast Guard on August 5, the board found that the main reasons behind the issues with the Titan were OceanGate’s poor design, certification, maintenance, and inspection procedures. Additionally, the report mentioned a problematic work environment at OceanGate, as well as an insufficient regulatory framework for submersible operations and innovative vessel designs on both a national and international level.

The comprehensive study conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation, released on August 4th, identified that OceanGate neglected to adhere to standard safety procedures, testing, and maintenance for their submarine as the major contributing cause.

As an ardent admirer of history, I can’t help but share the heartbreaking findings from a comprehensive 327-page report. It revealed that the catastrophic implosion we witnessed on June 18, 2023, during our expedition to the Titanic wreckage, was primarily due to the deterioration of the Titan’s carbon fiber hull. This hull, meticulously glued to titanium end sections, succumbed to structural failure, leading to the tragic event. Among the unfortunate souls lost in this incident were Rush, alongside Hamish Harding, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood.

As a devoted follower, I find myself in a position where I must clarify that OceanGate’s initial design and testing for the Titan project seemed to overlook several essential engineering fundamentals necessary for constructing a hull capable of diving to the Titanic wreckage at 12,500 feet. This is according to statements made by the agency.

Additionally, the report alleged that the company persisted in operating the submersible following several dives in 2022, which supposedly undermined the strength of its hull and essential parts without conducting a thorough examination or inspection of the hull first.

In terms of the structure, the Coast Guard pointed out that issues with the carbon fiber boat’s construction led to weaknesses in its overall strength. These problems were caused by factors like winding, curing, adhesion, and the thickness of the material used.

Besides neglecting thorough inspections on the ship following incidents that damaged its structure and parts during submersions, the company has been charged with dismissing and discouraging employees who voiced safety-related concerns.

According to the Coast Guard’s investigation, additional factors that played a role were:

1. Stockton’s persistent act of deceiving Titan, which gave both passengers and regulatory bodies a false impression of safety.
2. The company’s neglect in adhering to proper storage procedures, taking operational shortcuts, and failing to perform thorough safety inspections.

In simpler terms, the report claimed that OceanGate, a company charging $250,000 per passenger for their trip, put operational objectives and financial concerns ahead of safety. This meant they disregarded warnings from outside professionals in the field as well as their own team members about potential dangers.

As a lifestyle expert, I would say: “If OceanGate had heeded the warnings more carefully, sought advice from unbiased safety specialists, and followed stricter testing and safety guidelines, many of the risks that ultimately led to the catastrophic failure could have been effectively managed or even prevented altogether.

TopMob News has reached out to OceanGate for comment and has not yet heard back. 

For a closer look at the Titan’s final passengers, keep reading.

On June 18, 2023, the deep-sea submersible Titan, operated by OceanGate Expeditions based in the U.S., and carrying a crew of five for an expedition to the Titanic wreck site, went missing. A search operation spanning five days concluded on June 22 at a press conference, where the U.S. Coast Guard revealed that the submersible experienced a “severe collapse” which resulted in the unfortunate loss of all five passengers aboard.

As a devoted follower, I’d like to share that Shahzada Dawood, a businessman born in Pakistan, and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood, who are both UK citizens, were unfortunately among the affected individuals.

The family is among the richest in Pakistan, with Shahzada Dawood holding the position of Vice Chairman at Engro Corporation, as reported by The New York Times. Meanwhile, his son was engaged in studies at the University of Strathclyde, located in Glasgow, Scotland.

Azmeh Dawood, Shahzada’s sister, shared with NBC News that Suleman had shown hesitation regarding the voyage. He confided in a family member that he wasn’t particularly keen on it and felt scared about the journey to investigate the Titanic wreckage. However, he ultimately decided to go to make his father happy, as the latter is a fan of the Titanic, for Father’s Day.

With deep sorrow, we share the heartbreaking news: Shahzada and Suleman Dawood have tragically passed away. They were onboard the Titan submersible from OceanGate that met its fate beneath the ocean’s surface. We ask for your continued prayers as we grieve for their souls and support our family during these challenging times of mourning.

Stockton Rush, the founder of OceanGate, was at the helm of their exploration vessel, the Titan. With roots tracing back to 2009 in Everett, Washington, this innovative entrepreneur has always been captivated by discovery. At 61 years old, Rush previously expressed his aspiration to be the first human on Mars and once stated that he wanted to be recognized as an innovator.

Apart from conducting expeditions to view the remains of the Titanic, Rush has an intriguing link to the 1912 catastrophe through his wife, Wendy Rush. She is a direct descendant-the great-great-granddaughter-of the Straus couple, Ida and Isidor, who tragically perished on the Titanic.

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but share my excitement that none other than the brilliant British billionaire, Hamish Harding, admitted to being involved in this thrilling endeavor! He made the announcement on his Instagram post on June 17, just one day prior to the moment our submersible plunged into the deep, a sight I’ve been eagerly anticipating since the news broke.

He shared his excitement about joining OceanGate Expeditions for their RMS Titanic Mission, where he will serve as a mission specialist on the submersible heading towards the Titanic. Given that Newfoundland is experiencing its worst winter in 40 years, this could be the sole manned mission to the Titanic in 2023. A weather opportunity has arisen, and we plan to make our dive attempt tomorrow.

According to Harding, the head of Action Aviation, our team had set sail from St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada and we’re looking forward to initiating diving operations approximately 4 a.m. on June 18. At this point, there are still numerous preparations and discussions to attend to before then.

In his past expeditions, he ventured to the most profound depths of the Mariana Trench, as he shared with Gulf News in 2021: “The conditions were extraordinarily harsh. To journey to previously uncharted territories of the Challenger Deep, where no human had ever set foot before, was nothing short of extraordinary.

The Dubai entrepreneur not only completed a global journey by airplane as part of the One More Orbit expedition, but he also embarked on a space voyage last year aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin New Shepard rocket. Harding has been passing down his passion for exploration to his son, Giles, who is often featured on his Instagram page under the title “teen explorer.

Regarding the fifth individual, Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s representative communicated to the New York Times that he was among the passengers on the Titanic. Furthermore, Harding identified him as part of the team in an Instagram post.

As a seasoned maritime aficionado with a rich background in the French Navy, I’ve had the privilege of being immersed in the captivating world of the Titanic. Having journeyed to its submerged remains an impressive 35 times, I’ve earned the title of a dedicated Titanic specialist. In this role, I’ve served as the esteemed director of RMS Titanic, Inc., a renowned organization dedicated to the exploration, recovery, and exhibition of artifacts from this legendary vessel.

Alongside fellow passenger Hamish Harding, he was a member of The Explorers Club, founded in 1904.

According to Harding’s write-up, the vessel titled “Titan” was included in an OceanGate Expeditions journey delving into the remnants of the ill-fated RMS Titanic, a ship that tragically sunk in 1912.

OceanGate has extended its condolences to the families of the deceased, acknowledging them as brave explorers who embodied a unique sense of adventure and a strong commitment towards discovering and preserving the world’s oceans. In this difficult moment, our thoughts are with these five individuals and their loved ones. We mourn the loss of life and the vibrancy they brought to those around them.

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2025-08-05 23:18