Titan Submersible Maintenance Gaps Raise Safety Concerns

Investigations by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have highlighted serious manufacturing defects in the Titan’s carbon fiber hull, including delamination and porosity that could compromise its structural integrity under extreme pressure. Testimonies from former OceanGate employees indicate that despite concerns raised about the hull’s condition, no remedial actions or further testing were conducted prior to subsequent dives. For instance, after a loud bang was reported following a successful dive in July 2022, no thorough investigation was undertaken, and the Titan continued operations without addressing potential safety risks. Additionally, maintenance logs revealed no repairs or adjustments made to the submersible between late July 2022 and March 2023, raising alarms about the overall safety culture within OceanGate.

Key Issues Identified

• Manufacturing Defects: The hull was found to have multiple layers that had separated, indicating serious flaws in the construction process. Testimonies pointed to waviness and voids within the hull that could weaken its performance under pressure.

• Ignored Safety Concerns: Former director of marine operations David Lochridge raised safety issues during a 2018 meeting, which were reportedly dismissed by CEO Stockton Rush. The lack of response to these concerns reflects a troubling approach to safety management within the company.

• Lack of Testing: Following known issues with the hull, OceanGate did not conduct additional tests or make necessary repairs, leading to a lack of critical data that could have informed safer operational decisions.

• Operational Decisions: Despite the presence of alarming acoustic data and strain measurements, decisions to continue dives were made without adequate investigation, demonstrating a potentially dangerous oversight of safety protocols.

These gaps in maintenance and safety oversight culminated in the tragic loss of five lives during the Titan’s final voyage, prompting ongoing investigations and hearings aimed at uncovering the factors that led to this disaster.