The board determined the primary contributing factors were OceanGate’s inadequate design, certification, maintenance and inspection process for the Titan. Other factors cited in the report include a toxic workplace culture at OceanGate, an inadequate domestic and international regulatory framework for submersible operations and vessels of novel design, and an ineffective whistleblower process under the Seaman’s Protection Act.
The board also found OceanGate failed to properly investigate and address known hull anomalies following its 2022 Titanic expedition. Investigators determined the Titan’s real-time monitoring system generated data that should have been analyzed and acted on during the 2022 Titanic expedition. However, OceanGate did not take any action related to the data, conduct any preventative maintenance or properly store the Titan during the extended off season before its 2023 Titanic expedition.
I recently watched the Netflix documentary about the Titan. Stockton Rush’s sheer level of hubris is just mind blowing. Not only thinking he knew better than engineers who design submersibles for a living, but willfully disregarding a century of well established engineering standards in favor of his stupid ass ideas.
It absolutely blew my mind how many times he clearly heard the carbon fiber cracking under the pressure yet constantly explained it away as not a big deal. And despite having acoustic sensors meant to identify when that cracking was likely to be a major problem he ignored that as well.
IKR? It doesn’t take a genius or even an engineering degree to figure out that if you’re inside a vessel under intense pressure and that vessel is made of a bunch of fibers that are glued together, cracking sounds are no bueno.
I for one blame the anti science culture that first was tolerated, but lately, celebrated.
Exhibit a: oceangate Exhibit b: the entire US government (pay special attention to RFK) Exhibit c: is it even needed at this point?
Yeah, but “do your own research”
Good thing he’s anomalous among billionaires!
Edit: was*
Move fast,
break thingskill people.Including himself. If I had to find some respect for the guy, the fact he risked his own life might be it…
Fortunately, I don’t have to. What an idiot.
300 pages? Wow
I always am shocked at how detailed the reports are, but I imagine they have to legally record and report on absolutely everything they found even if its irrelevant.
It’s like any science, and even law, we’re trying to be very clear, exact, and specific with language that has evolved to express emotions and hyperbole.
“Yep, it imploded. Simply too much water, in the end.”
They even got an expert from IGN. “7.8, too much water.”
ineffective whistleblower process
Yeah good luck with that in the new USA where whistleblowers can go blow a whistle, if you know what I mean
