Passengers Reflect on Ill-Fated Titan Submersible: Anticipating the Tragedy

70

When speaking with individuals who had experienced a ride on the ill-fated Titan submersible, one common theme arises—a technological glitch. The propulsion system would fail, communication with the surface would be lost, or problems with weight balance onboard would occur. Amidst these recountings, Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, who tragically lost his life on a recent voyage, is frequently mentioned. Past passengers describe him as both a meticulous planner and an overly confident pioneer.

Following the fatal implosion of the Titan near the Titanic shipwreck, those who had embarked on deep-sea expeditions with the company shared experiences that seemed to foreshadow the tragedy. They now look back on their decision to dive as “a bit naive.”

However, not everyone expressed doubt. Some passengers conveyed confidence and asserted that they felt they were “in good hands” even at a depth of nearly 13,000 feet (3,962 meters) beneath the ocean’s surface.

Brian Weed, a camera operator for the Discovery Channel’s “Expedition Unknown” show, participated in a test dive on the Titan in May 2021 in Washington state’s Puget Sound. The purpose was to prepare for upcoming expeditions to the sunken Titanic, which Weed and his colleagues were set to film later that summer. During the test dive, they encountered a series of problems: the propulsion system ceased functioning, the computers became unresponsive, and communication shut down. Rush, the OceanGate CEO, attempted to resolve these issues by rebooting and troubleshooting the vessel, but his efforts appeared futile.

“You could tell that he was flustered and not really happy with the performance,” Weed recollected. “But he was trying to make light of it, trying to make excuses.”

Weed experienced a sense of foreboding after the failed trip. The production company subsequently hired a U.S. Navy consultant to assess the Titan. While the report was mostly favorable, concerns were raised regarding the carbon-fiber hull’s limited research and its potential ineffectiveness during multiple dives.

Rush, a charismatic salesman, possessed unwavering belief in the submersible’s technology and was willing to risk his life for it. Weed expressed apprehension that each descent of the vessel would weaken it, akin to playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette.

Despite engaging in adventurous activities such as swimming with sharks, exploring remote caves, and traversing Siberia, Weed and his colleagues ultimately decided against diving to the Titanic.

“I didn’t have a good feeling about it,” he explained. “It was a really hard choice to make.”

Mike Reiss, a writer for “The Simpsons” television show, had positive experiences during his dives with OceanGate, including visits to the Titanic wreck site. Reiss acknowledged the risks involved but always felt he was in safe hands. He praised the company for prioritizing safety and recalled his remarkable 2022 dive, lasting ten hours, to the Titanic.

Reiss did encounter some issues with the Titan, particularly with communication intermittently failing, similar to a dropped cellphone signal. Additionally, the compass on the submersible acted erratically near the ocean floor.

Arnie Weissmann, editor in chief of Travel Weekly, spent a week aboard the support ship for the Titan but never actually rode in the submersible. Weather conditions and other factors led to the cancellation of the planned dive. However, Weissmann noticed a potential readiness concern with the submersible and had conversations with Rush, where he revealed acquiring discounted carbon fiber past its shelf-life from airplanes for the Titan’s hull.

Weissmann perceived Rush as having dual personas—an efficient team leader dedicated to completing tasks and a self-assured risk-taker determined to do things his way. He now believes Rush’s fatal flaw was his overconfidence in his engineering skills and the perception that he was a trailblazer, operating outside established norms.

Arthur Loibl, a retired businessman and adventurer from Germany, was among the first customers to dive to the sunken Titanic onboard the Titan. Describing the cramped conditions of the submersible, Loibl emphasized the need to overcome any claustrophobic tendencies. He recounted the 2.5-hour descent and ascent in near darkness, illuminated only by a fluorescent glow stick to conserve energy.

Loibl mentioned delays during the dive to address battery and weight balancing issues. The entire voyage lasted 10.5 hours. While he acknowledged Rush’s resourcefulness in making do with available materials for the dives, he now views it as questionable in hindsight.

Reflecting on his experience, Loibl admitted to a degree of naivety, recognizing that he had underestimated the risks involved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about submersible tragedy

More about submersible tragedy

• OceanGate Expeditions
• Titanic Shipwreck
• Stockton Rush
• Discovery Channel’s “Expedition Unknown”
• “The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right” by Atul Gawande