Titan submersible implosion#Expeditions to the Titanic

{{Infobox event

| title = Titan submersible implosion

| image = 300px

| image_upright =

| alt =

| caption = Wreckage of Titan on the ocean floor, 22 June 2023

| module =

| date = {{start date and age|18 June 2023}}

| time = {{circa}} 10:47 a.m. NDT

| timezone = 13:17 UTC

| duration =

| location = North Atlantic Ocean, near the wreck of the Titanic

| coordinates = {{Coord|41.7344|-49.9424|display=inline,title}}

| type = Maritime incident

| cause = Failure of the composite pressure hull (presumed)

| organizers = OceanGate

| participants = 5

| outcome = Submersible destroyed by implosion

| reported deaths = 5 (see {{format link|#Fatalities}})

| inquiries = Under investigation by: {{Ublist|• MBI (USA)|• NTSB (USA)|• TSB (CAN)|• BEAmer (FRA)|• other industry organizations}}

}}

{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=right|frame-coord={{coord|45|-59}}|frame-width=250|frame-height=250|zoom=3

|type=point|marker=1|marker-size=small|coord={{coord|47.565415|-52.698383}}|title=June 16|description=Departure from St. John's, in Newfoundland

|type2=point|marker2=2|marker-size2=small|coord2={{coord|41.731944|-49.945833}}|title2=June 18|description2=The expedition arrives at the area where Titanic sank

|text={{MV|Polar Prince}} departed St. John's, Newfoundland (1), on 16 June 2023, and arrived at the dive site (2) on 17 June 2023, where Titan was deployed and began its descent the next day.}}

On 18 June 2023, Titan, a submersible operated by the American tourism and expeditions company OceanGate, imploded during an expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Aboard the submersible were Stockton Rush, the American chief executive officer of OceanGate; Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French deep-sea explorer and Titanic expert; Hamish Harding, a British businessman; Shahzada Dawood, a Pakistani-British businessman; and Dawood's son, Suleman.

Communication between Titan and its mother ship, {{MV|Polar Prince}}, was lost 1 hour and 33 minutes into the dive. Authorities were alerted when it failed to resurface at the scheduled time later that day. After the submersible had been missing for four days, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) discovered a debris field containing parts of Titan, about {{convert|1600|ft|m|order=flip|sigfig=1}} from the bow of the Titanic. The search area was informed by the United States Navy's (USN) sonar detection of an acoustic signature consistent with an implosion around the time communications with the submersible ceased, suggesting the pressure hull had imploded while Titan was descending, resulting in the instantaneous deaths of all five occupants.

The search and rescue operation was performed by an international team organized by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), USN, and Canadian Coast Guard. Support was provided by aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force and United States Air National Guard, a Royal Canadian Navy ship, as well as several commercial and research vessels and ROVs.

Numerous industry experts had stated concerns about the safety of the vessel. OceanGate executives, including Rush, had not sought certification for Titan, arguing that excessive safety protocols and regulations hindered innovation.{{Cite news |last1=Bogel-Burroughs |first1=Nicholas |last2=Gross |first2=Jenny |last3=Betts |first3=Anna |date=20 June 2023 |title=OceanGate Was Warned of Potential for 'Catastrophic' Problems With Titanic Mission |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/us/oceangate-titanic-missing-submersible.html |url-status=live |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621005432/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/us/oceangate-titanic-missing-submersible.html |archive-date=21 June 2023}}

Background

=OceanGate=

File:Stockton Rush (cropped).png CEO Stockton Rush, who died aboard Titan, pictured in March 2015]]

OceanGate was a private company, initiated in 2009 by Stockton Rush and Guillermo Söhnlein. From 2010 until the loss of the Titan submersible, OceanGate transported paying customers in leased commercial submersibles off the coast of California, in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Atlantic Ocean. The company was based in Everett, Washington, US.{{cite news |last=Podsada |first=Janice |date=19 December 2021 |title=For $250K, this Everett company will take you to the Titanic |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/business/for-250k-this-everett-company-will-take-you-to-the-titanic/ |work=The Everett Herald |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623023207/https://www.heraldnet.com/business/for-250k-this-everett-company-will-take-you-to-the-titanic/ |url-status=live}}

Rush realized that visiting shipwreck sites was a method of getting media attention. OceanGate had previously conducted voyages to other shipwrecks, including its 2016 dive to the wreck of {{SS|Andrea Doria||2}} aboard their other submersible Cyclops{{nbsp}}1. (A near disaster on that expedition was recounted in Vanity Fair in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Casey |first=Susan |date=2023-08-17 |title=The 'Titan' Submersible Disaster Was Years in the Making, New Details Reveal |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/08/titan-submersible-implosion-warnings |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}) In 2019, Rush told Smithsonian magazine: "There's only one wreck that everyone knows{{nbsp}}... If you ask people to name something underwater, it's going to be sharks, whales, Titanic".

=''Titanic''=

{{main|Wreck of the Titanic{{!}}Wreck of the Titanic}}

The Titanic was a British ocean liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on 15 April 1912, after colliding with an iceberg. More than 1,500 people died, making it the deadliest sinking of a single ship at the time.{{cite web |date=30 July 1912 |title=Passenger List and Survivors of Steamship Titanic |url=http://www.titanicinquiry.org/BOTApp/BOTApp01.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326032948/http://www.titanicinquiry.org/BOTApp/BOTApp01.php |archive-date=26 March 2012 |access-date=15 July 2011 |work=United States Senate Inquiry}}{{Cite web |author=British Pathé |title=Titanic Disaster Interviews |url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/titanic-disaster-documentary |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106100959/https://www.britishpathe.com/video/titanic-disaster-documentary |archive-date=6 January 2021 |access-date=8 July 2020 |website=britishpathe.com |language=en-GB}} In 1985, Robert Ballard located the wreck of the Titanic {{Convert|320|nmi}} from the coast of Newfoundland.{{Cite news |date=19 June 2023 |title=Submersible used to take tourists to see Titanic wreck goes missing in Atlantic Ocean |url=https://news.sky.com/story/commercial-submarine-goes-missing-near-titanic-wreck-in-atlantic-ocean-12905471 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619144602/https://news.sky.com/story/commercial-submarine-goes-missing-near-titanic-wreck-in-atlantic-ocean-12905471 |archive-date=19 June 2023 |access-date=19 June 2023 |publisher=Sky News |language=en}} The wreck lies at a depth of about {{convert|3810|m|ft fathom| abbr=off}}.{{Cite news |last1=Ax |first1=Joseph |last2=O'Brien |first2=Brendan |date=21 June 2023 |title=Crews searching for Titanic submersible detect sounds – US Coast Guard |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/titanic-tourist-submersible-missing-third-day-with-five-aboard-2023-06-20/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620122935/https://www.reuters.com/world/titanic-tourist-submersible-missing-third-day-with-five-aboard-2023-06-20/ |url-status=live}} Since its discovery, it has been a destination for research expeditions and tourism. By 2012, 140 people had visited the wreck site.{{cite journal |last=Symonds |first=Matthew |date=April 2012 |title=Titanic: The archaeology of an emigrant ship |journal=Current Archaeology |issue=265 |page=14}}

Submersible ''Titan''

{{main|Titan (submersible){{!}}Titan (submersible)}}

File:OceanGate Titan schematic nevernude.svg

File:Logitech F710, forward.jpg similar to the one used (in modified form) on Titan for steering]]

Formerly known as Cyclops 2,{{cite AV media |author=OceanGate |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uP1dRZDJsQ |title=Christening Titan |via=YouTube |access-date=27 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624190755/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uP1dRZDJsQ |url-status=live}} Titan was a five-person submersible vessel operated by OceanGate Inc. The {{Convert|6.7|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}}, {{cvt|10432|kg|sigfig=3}} vessel was constructed from carbon fibre and titanium.{{Cite web |title=Titan Submersible |url=https://oceangate.com/our-subs/titan-submersible.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619233914/https://oceangate.com/our-subs/titan-submersible.html |archive-date=19 June 2023 |access-date=19 June 2023 |publisher=OceanGate}} The entire pressure vessel consisted of two titanium hemispheres (domes) with matching titanium interface rings bonded to the {{cvt|142|cm}} internal diameter, {{convert|2.4|m|ft|-long|adj=mid}} carbon fibre-wound cylinder.{{cite news |last1=Gorgan |first1=Elena |date=20 June 2023 |title=Tourist Submarine Titan Goes Missing on Its Way to the Titanic Wreck |website=autoevolution.com |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/tourist-submarine-titan-goes-missing-on-its-way-to-the-titanic-wreck-216772.html |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621003338/https://www.autoevolution.com/news/tourist-submarine-titan-goes-missing-on-its-way-to-the-titanic-wreck-216772.html |url-status=live}} One of the titanium hemispherical end caps could be detached to provide the hatch and was fitted with a {{cvt|380|mm|in|-diameter|adj=mid}} acrylic window.{{cite news |last=Sloan |first=Jeff |date=10 May 2017 |title=Composite submersibles: Under pressure in deep, deep waters |work=Composites World |url=http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/composite-submersibles-under-pressure-in-deep-deep-waters |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804224656/http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/composite-submersibles-under-pressure-in-deep-deep-waters |archive-date=4 August 2021}} In 2020, Rush said that the hull, originally designed to reach {{cvt|4000| m|ft}} below sea level,{{Cite web |url=https://oceangate.com/our-subs.html |title=Our Submersibles |website=OceanGate |date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621031325/https://oceangate.com/our-subs.html |archive-date=21 June 2023}} had been downgraded to a depth rating of {{cvt|3000|m|ft}} after demonstrating signs of cyclic fatigue. In 2020 and 2021, the hull was repaired or rebuilt. Rush told the Travel Weekly editor-in-chief that the carbon fibre had been sourced at a discount from Boeing because it was too old for use in the company's airplanes.{{Cite news |last=Weissmann |first=Arnie |date=21 June 2023 |title=Mission Titanic, Part 2: Delays and an unsettling statement from the OceanGate CEO |work=Travel Weekly |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Mission-Titanic-part-2 |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623024045/https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Mission-Titanic-Part-2 |url-status=live}} Boeing stated they have no records of any sale to Rush or to OceanGate.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/23/titanic-submersible-ceo-carbon-fiber-rush/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=22 June 2023 |url-access=registration |title=Titan CEO spoke of 'discount' parts, journalist invited on submersible says |first=Timothy |last=Bella |access-date=25 June 2023 |archive-date=26 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626050815/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/23/titanic-submersible-ceo-carbon-fiber-rush/ |url-status=live}} OceanGate had initially not sought certification for Titan, arguing that excessive safety protocols hindered innovation. Lloyd's Register, a ship classification society, refused OceanGate's request to class the vessel in 2019.{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Gabe |work=CNN|title=Marine certification company says it declined request to certify doomed Titan vessel |url=https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-23-23/index.html |date=23 June 2023 |access-date=27 June 2023 |archive-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627114243/https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-23-23/index.html |url-status=live}}

Titan could move at as much as {{convert|3|knot|lk=in}} using four electric thrusters, arrayed two horizontal and two vertical.{{cite web |title=Titan 5-Person Submersible {{!}} 4,000 meters |url=https://oceangate.com/pdf/oceangate-titan-specs-lr.pdf |access-date=20 June 2023 |publisher=OceanGate |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622095039/https://oceangate.com/pdf/oceangate-titan-specs-lr.pdf |url-status=live }} Its steering controls consisted of a Logitech F710 wireless game controller with modified longer analogue sticks resembling traditional joysticks. The University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory assisted with the control design on the Cyclops 1 using a DualShock 3 video game controller, which was carried over to Titan, substituting with the Logitech controller.{{cite AV media |title= OceanGate and UW APL Design Manned Submersible |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqT2wPlJkN8 |via=YouTube |publisher=OceanGate Archive}} The use of commercial off-the-shelf game controllers is common for remote-controlled vehicles such as unmanned aerial vehicles or bomb disposal robots,{{cite news |last=Tassi |first=Paul |date=20 June 2023 |title=The Missing Titanic Submarine Was Using A $30 Video Game Controller |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2023/06/20/the-missing-titanic-submarine-was-using-a-30-video-game-controller/ |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628152852/https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2023/06/20/the-missing-titanic-submarine-was-using-a-30-video-game-controller/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Gault |first=Matthew |date=20 June 2023 |title=Why Did the Missing Titanic Sub Use a $40 Video Game Controller? |work=VICE |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-did-the-missing-titanic-sub-use-a-dollar40-video-game-controller/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620174337/https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvjjqq/why-did-the-missing-titanic-sub-use-a-dollar40-video-game-controller |archive-date=20 June 2023 |quote=Gamepads are so good at controlling things, that the U.S. military frequently uses them.}}{{cite news |last=Gach |first=Ethan |date=20 June 2023 |title=Why The Missing Titanic Tourist Sub Has Everyone Talking About A Cheap Old Gaming Controller |work=Kotaku |url=https://kotaku.com/titanic-submarine-missing-logitech-controller-oceangate-1850555699 |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620150822/https://kotaku.com/titanic-submarine-missing-logitech-controller-oceangate-1850555699 |archive-date=20 June 2023 |quote=The Titan was shown to be operated with a Logitech G Wireless Gamepad F710 at times in the past}} whilst the United States Navy uses Xbox 360 controllers to control periscopes in {{sclass|Virginia|submarine}}s.{{Cite news |last=Andrews |first=Travis M. |date=25 September 2017 |title=The Navy's adding a new piece of equipment to nuclear submarines: Xbox controllers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/09/25/the-navys-adding-a-new-piece-of-a-equipment-to-nuclear-submarines-xbox-controllers/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125063616/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/09/25/the-navys-adding-a-new-piece-of-a-equipment-to-nuclear-submarines-xbox-controllers/ |url-status=live}}

OceanGate claimed on its website {{As of|2023|lc=y}} that Titan was "designed and engineered by OceanGate Inc. in collaboration [with] experts from NASA, Boeing, and the University of Washington" (UW). A {{frac|1|3}}-scale model of the Cyclops 2 pressure vessel was built and tested at the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) at UW; the model was able to sustain a pressure of {{cvt|4285|psi|MPa atm}}, corresponding to a depth of about {{cvt|3000|m}}.{{cite web |url=https://apl.uw.edu/project/projects/oceangate/pdfs/oceangate_script_01.pdf |title=Cyclops Next Gen: New Hull Design and Testing |publisher=Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622135743/https://apl.uw.edu/project/projects/oceangate/pdfs/oceangate_script_01.pdf |url-status=live}} After the disappearance of Titan in 2023, these earlier associates disclaimed involvement with the Titan project. UW claimed the APL had no involvement in the "design, engineering, or testing of the Titan submersible". A Boeing spokesperson also claimed Boeing "was not a partner on Titan and did not design or build it". A NASA spokesperson said that NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center had a Space Act Agreement with OceanGate, but "did not conduct testing and manufacturing via its workforce or facilities".{{cite news |last1=Mayor |first1=Grace |title=Boeing and University of Washington deny OceanGate's claim that they helped design the lost Titan sub |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-university-of-washington-deny-helping-design-oceangate-titan-submersible-2023-6 |access-date=22 June 2023 |work=Business Insider |date=22 June 2022 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628151838/https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-university-of-washington-deny-helping-design-oceangate-titan-submersible-2023-6 |url-status=live}} It was designed and developed originally in partnership with UW and Boeing, both of which put forth numerous design recommendations and rigorous testing requirements, which Rush ignored, despite prior tests at lower depths resulting in implosions at UW's lab. The partnerships dissolved as Rush refused to work within quality standards.{{Cite magazine |last=Harris |first=Mark |title=The Titan Submersible Disaster Shocked the World. The Inside Story Is More Disturbing Than Anyone Imagined |url=https://www.wired.com/story/titan-submersible-disaster-inside-story-oceangate-files/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028 |archive-date=11 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611132441/https://www.wired.com/story/titan-submersible-disaster-inside-story-oceangate-files/ |url-status=live }}

According to OceanGate, the vessel contained monitoring systems to continuously monitor the strength of the hull. The vessel had life support for five people for 96 hours. There is no GPS underwater; the support ship, which monitored the position of Titan relative to its target, sent text messages to Titan providing distances and directions.{{cite news |last=Pogue |first=David |author-link=David Pogue |date=27 November 2022 |title=Titanic: Visiting the most famous shipwreck in the world |publisher=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/titanic-visiting-the-most-famous-shipwreck-in-the-world/ |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620021629/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/titanic-visiting-the-most-famous-shipwreck-in-the-world/ |url-status=live}}

According to OceanGate, Titan had several backup systems intended to return the vessel to the surface in case of emergency, including ballasts that could be dropped, a balloon, thrusters, and sandbags held by hooks that dissolved after a certain number of hours in saltwater. Ideally, this would release the sandbags, allowing the vessel to float to the surface.{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Mary Louise |author-link=Mary Louise Kelly |last2=Acovino |first2=Vincent |last3=Ermyas |first3=Tinbete |date=20 June 2023 |title=A former passenger details what it's like inside the missing Titan submersible |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/06/20/1183273102/titan-missing-sub-titanic-rescue-oceangate |url-status=live |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621065713/https://www.npr.org/2023/06/20/1183273102/titan-missing-sub-titanic-rescue-oceangate |archive-date=21 June 2023}}{{cite news |title=U.S. Coast Guard to bring more ships, vessels to search for lost Titanic tourist submersible |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/21/canadian-aircraft-detects-underwater-noises-in-search-for-sub-near-titanic.html |publisher=CNBC |date=21 June 2023 |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621074237/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/21/canadian-aircraft-detects-underwater-noises-in-search-for-sub-near-titanic.html |url-status=live}} An OceanGate investor explained that if the vessel did not ascend automatically after the elapsed time, those inside could help release the ballast either by tilting the ship back and forth to dislodge it or by using a pneumatic pump to loosen the weights.{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Emma |date=22 June 2023 |title=What it's like inside the Titanic-touring submersible that went missing with 5 people on board |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/21/us/inside-missing-titan-submersible-titanic-tour/index.html |access-date=22 June 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628151838/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/21/us/inside-missing-titan-submersible-titanic-tour/index.html |url-status=live}}

=Dives to wreck of ''Titanic''=

Dives by Titan to the wreck of Titanic occurred as part of multi-day excursions organized by OceanGate, which the company referred to as "missions". Five missions occurred in the middle of 2021 and 2022.{{cite news |last1=Pogue |first1=David |title=What I Learned on a Titanic Sub Expedition |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/06/what-i-learned-on-a-titanic-submarine-expedition.html |work=New York |date=27 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628023931/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/06/what-i-learned-on-a-titanic-submarine-expedition.html |url-status=live}} Titan imploded during the fifth mission of 2023; it was the first mission of the year in which a dive came close to Titanic, due to poor weather during previous attempts.{{cite news |last1=Branch |first1=John |title=A Rubik's Cube, Thick Socks and Giddy Anticipation: The Last Hours of the Titan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/02/us/titan-submersible-passengers.html |work=The New York Times |date=2 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702092517/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/02/us/titan-submersible-passengers.html |archive-date=2 July 2023}}

Passengers would sail to and from the wreckage site aboard a support ship and spend approximately five days on the ocean above the Titanic wreckage site. Two dives were usually attempted during each excursion, though dives were often cancelled or aborted due to weather or technical malfunctions.

Each dive typically had a pilot, a guide, and three paying passengers aboard.{{Cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Gareth |last2=Gozzi |first2=Laura |date=19 June 2023 |title=Titanic tourist submersible goes missing with search under way |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65953872 |url-status=live |access-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619134256/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65953872 |archive-date=19 June 2023}} Once they were inside the submersible, the hatch would be bolted shut and could only be reopened from the outside.{{Cite news |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |date=20 June 2023 |title='Tiny sub, big ocean': Why the Titanic submersible search is so challenging |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/06/20/1183152712/titanic-submarine-missing-search |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620134727/https://www.npr.org/2023/06/20/1183152712/titanic-submarine-missing-search |url-status=live}} The descent from the surface to the Titanic wreck typically took two hours,{{Cite news |date=19 June 2023 |title=What we know about the passengers on board missing Titanic submersible |url=https://news.sky.com/story/what-we-know-about-the-passengers-on-board-missing-titanic-submersible-12905596 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619223319/https://news.sky.com/story/what-we-know-about-the-passengers-on-board-missing-titanic-submersible-12905596 |archive-date=19 June 2023 |access-date=20 June 2023 |publisher=Sky News |language=en}} with the full dive taking about eight hours. Throughout the journey, the submersible was expected to emit a safety ping every 15 minutes to be monitored by the above-water crew. The vessel and surface crew were also able to communicate via brief text messages.{{Cite news |last1=Whittle |first1=Patrick |last2=Ramer |first2=Holly |date=20 June 2023 |title=In race against clock, expanding fleet of ships searches for submersible lost near Titanic wreck |url=https://apnews.com/article/titanic-wreckage-missing-submersible-9f0e66fc1df5d9f1e8d262dc7ce0135e |access-date=21 June 2023 |work=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621005800/https://apnews.com/article/titanic-wreckage-missing-submersible-9f0e66fc1df5d9f1e8d262dc7ce0135e |url-status=live}}

Customers who travelled to the wreck with OceanGate, referred to as "mission specialists" by the company,{{Cite news |last1=Regan |first1=Helen |last2=Yeung |first2=Jessie |last3=Renton |first3=Adam |last4=Said-Moorhouse |first4=Lauren |last5=Upright |first5=Ed |date=20 June 2023 |title=The Titanic wreckage lies around 12,500 feet below sea level. Here's a look at the path to see it |url=https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-submersible-missing-search-06-20-23/h_e60116abdf9035120a8f19eea9d8fffc |access-date=20 June 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628152855/https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-submersible-missing-search-06-20-23/h_e60116abdf9035120a8f19eea9d8fffc |url-status=live}} paid {{Currency|250,000|USD}} each for the eight-day expedition.{{Cite news |last=Enokido-Lineham |first=Olive |date=19 June 2023 |title=UK billionaire Hamish Harding on board missing Titanic submersible, family confirms |publisher=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/uk-billionaire-hamish-harding-on-board-missing-titanic-submersible-family-confirms-12905616 |url-status=live |access-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620041549/https://news.sky.com/story/uk-billionaire-hamish-harding-on-board-missing-titanic-submersible-family-confirms-12905616 |archive-date=20 June 2023}}{{Cite web |date=22 June 2023 |last=González |first=Raúl |title=Missing Titan submarine: How much does the search and rescue mission cost and who's paying for it? |url=https://en.as.com/latest_news/missing-titan-submarine-how-much-does-the-search-and-rescue-mission-cost-and-whos-paying-for-it-n/ |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=Diario AS |language=en-us |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622215035/https://en.as.com/latest_news/missing-titan-submarine-how-much-does-the-search-and-rescue-mission-cost-and-whos-paying-for-it-n/ |url-status=live}}

OceanGate intended to perform multiple dives to the Titanic{{'s}} wreck in 2023, but the dive in which Titan was destroyed was the only one the company had launched that year.

=Safety=

Because Titan operated in international waters and did not carry passengers from a port, it was not subject to safety regulations. The vessel was not certified as seaworthy by any regulatory agency or third-party organization.{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=Tom |title=The missing Titanic sub fell outside safety rules by operating in international waters beyond the law, experts say |url=https://www.insider.com/titanic-sub-avoided-safety-rules-by-diving-in-international-waters-experts-2023-6 |publisher=Insider |date=21 June 2023 |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628152854/https://www.insider.com/titanic-sub-avoided-safety-rules-by-diving-in-international-waters-experts-2023-6 |url-status=live }} Reporter David Pogue, who completed the expedition in 2022 as part of a CBS News Sunday Morning feature, said that all passengers who enter Titan sign a waiver confirming their knowledge that it is an "experimental" vessel "that has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body, and could result in physical injury, disability, emotional trauma or death".{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Jessica |date=19 June 2023 |title=What we know about the search for the Oceangate submersible |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65934887 |url-status=dead |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619230915/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65934887 |archive-date=19 June 2023}} Television producer Mike Reiss, who also completed the expedition, said the waiver "mention[s] death three times on page one".{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=Sinéad |title=Former passenger on Titan submersible says you have to sign a waiver that mentions death 3 times on the first page: 'So it's never far from your mind' |url=https://www.insider.com/titanic-submersible-former-passenger-waiver-page-1-death-3-times-2023-6 |access-date=20 June 2023 |work=Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628152854/https://www.insider.com/titanic-submersible-former-passenger-waiver-page-1-death-3-times-2023-6 |url-status=live }} A 2019 article published in Smithsonian magazine referred to Rush as a "daredevil inventor".{{Cite web |last1=Perrottet |first1=Tony |date=June 2019 |title=A Deep Dive Into the Plans to Take Tourists to the 'Titanic' |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/worlds-first-deep-diving-submarine-plans-tourists-see-titanic-180972179/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530030943/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/worlds-first-deep-diving-submarine-plans-tourists-see-titanic-180972179/ |archive-date=30 May 2019 |access-date=20 June 2023 |website=Smithsonian |language=en}} In the article, Rush is described as having said that the U.S. Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993 "needlessly prioritized passenger safety over commercial innovation".{{cite web |title=H.R.1159 – Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1159/text |website=United States Congress |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=6 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106130049/http://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1159/text |url-status=live}} In a 2022 interview, Rush told CBS News, "At some point, safety just is pure waste. I mean, if you just want to be safe, don't get out of bed. Don't get in your car. Don't do anything."{{Cite podcast |url=https://unsungscience.com/news/back-to-titanic-part-1/ |title=Back to Titanic Part 1 |website=Unsung Science |publisher=CBS News |host=David Pogue |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621025501/https://unsungscience.com/news/back-to-titanic-part-1/ |url-status=dead }} Rush said in a 2021 interview, "I've broken some rules to make [Titan]. I think I've broken them with logic and good engineering behind me. The carbon fibre and titanium, there's a rule you don't do that. Well, I did."{{Cite AV media |title=Mi expedición al TITANIC parte 1/4 {{!}} Alan por el mundo |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD5SUDFE6CA |access-date=23 June 2023 |language=en |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623024119/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD5SUDFE6CA |url-status=live | time = 24:16}}

OceanGate claimed that Titan was the only crewed submersible that used an integrated real-time monitoring system (RTM) for safety. The proprietary system, patented by Rush in 2021,{{US patent reference|number=11119071|issue date=14 September 2021|inventor=Richard Stockton Rush, III|title=Systems and methods for curing, testing, validating, rating, and monitoring the integrity of composite structures}} used acoustic sensors and strain gauges at the pressure boundary to analyse the effects of increasing pressure as the watercraft ventured deeper into the ocean and to monitor the hull's integrity in real time. This would supposedly give early warning of problems and allow enough time to abort the descent and return to the surface.{{cite web |author1=OceanGate Staff |title=Titan 5-Person Submersible {{!}} 4,000 Meters |url=https://oceangate.com/our-subs/titan-submersible.html |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619175419/https://oceangate.com/our-subs/titan-submersible.html |archive-date=19 June 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Broad |first1=William J. |date=22 June 2023 |title=The director and deep-sea explorer James Cameron points to flaws in the Titan submersible's design. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/22/science/james-cameron-titanic-submersible.html |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623011459/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/22/science/james-cameron-titanic-submersible.html |url-status=live}}

===Prior concerns===

{{anchor|David Lochridge}} In 2018, OceanGate's director of marine operations, David Lochridge, composed a report documenting safety concerns he had about Titan. In court documents, Lochridge said that he had urged the company to have Titan assessed and certified by the American Bureau of Shipping, but OceanGate had refused to do so, instead seeking classification from Lloyd's Register.{{Cite web |last=CBC, Anderson |first=Scott |date=27 Mar 2024 |title=Why were passengers allowed on OceanGate's experimental Titan sub? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4bYuSL8uVQ |website=Youtube}} He also said that the transparent viewport on its forward end, due to its nonstandard and therefore experimental design, was only certified to a depth of {{cvt|1,300|m}}, only a third of the depth required to reach the Titanic{{'s}} wreck. According to Lochridge, RTM would "only show when a component is about to fail – often milliseconds before an implosion" and could not detect existing flaws in the hull before it was too late.{{Cite web |last1=Low |first1=Matthew |last2=Goodwin |first2=Grace Eliza |title=The missing Titanic sub would only detect hull failure 'milliseconds before an implosion,' company executive warned in 2018 |url=https://www.insider.com/titanic-submersible-only-warns-milliseconds-before-hull-failure-fired-executive-2023-6 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20230709034154/https://www.insider.com/titanic-submersible-only-warns-milliseconds-before-hull-failure-fired-executive-2023-6 |url-status=live }} Lochridge was also concerned that OceanGate would not perform nondestructive testing on the vessel's hull before undertaking crewed dives and alleged that he was "repeatedly told that no scan of the hull or Bond Line could be done to check for delaminations, porosity and voids of sufficient adhesion of the glue being used due to the thickness of the hull".{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Mark |date=20 June 2023 |title=A whistleblower raised safety concerns about OceanGate's submersible in 2018. Then he was fired. |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/20/a-whistleblower-raised-safety-concerns-about-oceangates-submersible-in-2018-then-he-was-fired/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621011359/https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/20/a-whistleblower-raised-safety-concerns-about-oceangates-submersible-in-2018-then-he-was-fired/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Answer to Complaint – #7 in OceanGate Inc v. Lochridge (W.D. Wash., 2:18-cv-01083) – CourtListener.com |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/7506826/7/oceangate-inc-v-lochridge/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=CourtListener |language=en-us |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628152855/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/7506826/7/oceangate-inc-v-lochridge/ |url-status=live}} The viewport was rated to only {{cvt|650|m}}, and the engineer of the viewport also prepared an analysis from an independent expert that concluded the design would fail after only a few {{cvt|4,000|m}} dives.

OceanGate said that Lochridge, who was not an engineer, had refused to accept safety approvals from OceanGate's engineering team and that the company's evaluation of Titan{{'s}} hull was stronger than any kind of third-party evaluation Lochridge thought necessary.{{Cite news |last1=Bogel-Burroughs |first1=Nicholas |last2=Gross |first2=Jenny |last3=Betts |first3=Anna |date=20 June 2023 |title=OceanGate Was Warned of Potential for 'Catastrophic' Problems With Titanic Mission |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/us/oceangate-titanic-missing-submersible.html |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621005432/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/us/oceangate-titanic-missing-submersible.html |url-status=live}} OceanGate sued Lochridge for allegedly breaching his confidentiality contract and making fraudulent statements. Lochridge counter-sued, stating that his employment had been wrongfully terminated as a whistleblower for stating concerns about Titan{{'s}} ability to operate safely. The two parties settled the case a few months later, before it came to court.{{Cite web |title=Complaint – #1, Att. #1 in OceanGate Inc v. Lochridge (W.D. Wash., 2:18-cv-01083) – CourtListener.com |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/7506826/1/1/oceangate-inc-v-lochridge/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=CourtListener |language=en-us |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153406/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/7506826/1/1/oceangate-inc-v-lochridge/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last1=Strauss |first1=Daniel |last2=Varkiani |first2=Adrienne Mahsa |last3=Aronoff |first3=Kate |last4=Otten |first4=Tori |last5=Shephard |first5=Alex |last6=Otten |first6=Tori |last7=Otten |first7=Tori |last8=Otten |first8=Tori |last9=Shephard |first9=Alex |date=1 November 2022 |title=Missing Titanic Sub Once Faced Massive Lawsuit Over Depths It Could Safely Travel To |magazine=The New Republic |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/173802/missing-titanic-sub-faced-lawsuit-depths-safely-travel-oceangate |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620205818/https://newrepublic.com/post/173802/missing-titanic-sub-faced-lawsuit-depths-safely-travel-oceangate |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Order Dismissing Case – #14 in OceanGate Inc v. Lochridge (W.D. Wash., 2:18-cv-01083) – CourtListener.com |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/7506826/14/oceangate-inc-v-lochridge/ |access-date=21 June 2023 |website=CourtListener |language=en-us |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153412/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/7506826/14/oceangate-inc-v-lochridge/ |url-status=live}} He filed a whistleblower complaint with Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but withdrew it after the lawsuit was filed.

Later in 2018, a group organized by William Kohnen, the chair of the Submarine Group of the Marine Technology Society, drafted a letter{{cite web |last1=Kohnen |first1=William |title=MTS Letter to OceanGate |url=https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/marine-technology-society-committee-2018-letter-to-ocean-gate/eddb63615a7b3764/full.pdf |website=New York Times |access-date=27 May 2024 |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620215242/https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/marine-technology-society-committee-2018-letter-to-ocean-gate/eddb63615a7b3764/full.pdf |url-status=live }} to Rush expressing "unanimous concern regarding the development of 'TITAN' and the planned Titanic Expedition", indicating that the "current experimental approach ... could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic) that would have serious consequences for everyone in the industry". The letter said that OceanGate's marketing of the Titan was misleading because it claimed that the submersible would meet or exceed the safety standards of classification society DNV, even though the company had no plans to have the craft certified formally by the society. While the letter was never sent officially by the Marine Technology Society, it did result in a conversation with OceanGate that resulted in some changes, but in the end Rush "agreed to disagree" with the rest of the civilian submarine community.{{cite web |last1=Treisman |first1=Rachel |title=Experts raised safety concerns about OceanGate years before its Titanic sub vanished |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/06/21/1183408455/titan-missing-submarine-oceangate-submersible |website=Morning Edition |publisher=NPR |access-date=25 March 2024 |ref=NPR - Experts raised concerns |archive-date=24 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324074514/https://www.npr.org/2023/06/21/1183408455/titan-missing-submarine-oceangate-submersible |url-status=live }} Kohnen told The New York Times that Rush had telephoned him after reading it to tell him that he believed industry standards were stifling innovation.

Another signatory, engineer Bart Kemper, agreed to sign the letter because of OceanGate's decision not to use established engineering standards like ASME Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy (PVHO) or design validation.{{cite news |last1=Sarah |first1=Ferguson |date=22 June 2023 |title=VIDEO: Experts had previously revealed multiple concerns over the safety of missing Titan submersive |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-22/experts-had-previously-revealed-multiple-concerns/102513598 |access-date=24 March 2024 |work=ABC 730 |agency=Australian Broadcast Company |archive-date=25 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325093652/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-22/experts-had-previously-revealed-multiple-concerns/102513598 |url-status=live }} Kemper said the submersible was "experimental, with no oversight". Kohnen and Kemper stated OceanGate's methods were not representative of the industry.{{cite web |last1=Smellie |first1=Sarah |date=21 June 2023 |title='Experimental with no oversight:' Experts had concerns about OceanGate sub for years |url=https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/national/experimental-with-no-oversight-experts-had-concerns-about-oceangate-sub-for-years/article_bd82465e-2e9e-5d2d-8738-81c2dd4baf54.html |access-date=24 March 2024 |publisher=The Canadian Press}} Kohnen and Kemper are both members of the ASME Codes and Standards committee for PVHOs, which develops and maintains the engineering safety standards for submarines, commercial diving systems, hyperbaric systems, and related equipment.{{cite book |title=Safety Standard for Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy: In-Service Guidelines |date=2019 |publisher=ASME |location=ASME PRESSURE VESSELS FOR HUMAN OCCUPANCY COMMITTEE |page=vi |edition=2019 |url=https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/asme/preview_pvho-2_2019.pdf |access-date=17 June 2024 |archive-date=17 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617052326/https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/asme/preview_pvho-2_2019.pdf |url-status=live }} Kemper is an engineering researcher who has published a number of technical papers on submarine windows,{{cite web |title=Researcher Profile: Bart Kemper |url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bart-Kemper |website=ResearchGate |access-date=17 June 2024}} including the need to innovate.{{cite journal |last1=Kemper |first1=Bart |last2=Cross |first2=Linda |title=Developing "Design by Analysis" Methodology for Windows for Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy |journal=ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems, Part B: Mechanical Engineering |date=May 2020 |volume=6 |issue=3 |doi=10.1115/1.4046742 |doi-access=free }}

In March 2018, one of Boeing's engineers involved in the preliminary designs, Mark Negley, carried out an analysis of the hull and emailed Rush directly stating, "We think you are at high risk of a significant failure at or before you reach 4,000 meters. We do not think you have any safety margin." He included a graph of the strain of the design with a skull and crossbones at a red line of 4,000 meters.

Also in March 2018, Rob McCallum, a major deep sea exploration specialist, emailed Rush to warn him he was potentially risking his clients' safety and advised against the submersible's use for commercial purposes until it had been tested independently and classified: "I implore you to take every care in your testing and sea trials and to be very, very conservative." Rush replied that he was "tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation ... We have heard the baseless cries of 'you are going to kill someone' way too often. I take this as a serious personal insult". McCallum then sent Rush another email in which he said: "I think you are potentially placing yourself and your clients in a dangerous dynamic. In your race to Titanic you are mirroring that famous catch cry: 'She is unsinkable{{'"}}. This prompted OceanGate's lawyers to threaten McCallum with legal action.{{cite news |first1=Rebecca |last1=Morelle |first2=Alison |last2=Francis |first3=Gareth |last3=Evans |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65998914 |title=Titan sub CEO dismissed safety warnings as 'baseless cries', emails show |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=23 June 2023 |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623165540/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65998914 |url-status=live}}

In 2022, the British actor and television presenter Ross Kemp, who had participated previously with deep sea dives for the television channel Sky History, had planned to mark the 110th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic by recording a documentary in which he would undertake a dive to the wreck using Titan. Kemp's agent Jonathan Shalit said that the project was cancelled after checks by production company Atlantic Productions deemed the submersible to be unsafe and not "fit for purpose".{{cite web |first=Gwyn |last=Wright |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ross-kemp-us-coast-guard-north-atlantic-british-titan-b2363453.html |title=Ross Kemp turned down OceanGate submersible trip over safety fears |work=The Independent |date=24 June 2023 |access-date=30 June 2023 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629183552/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ross-kemp-us-coast-guard-north-atlantic-british-titan-b2363453.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=Rachel |last=Russell |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66003569 |title=Ross Kemp had planned to film TV show on Titanic sub |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |date=24 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623222649/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66003569 |url-status=live}}

=Previous incidents=

{{external media

| float = right

| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29co_Hksk6o CBS Sunday Morning / David Pogue report on OceanGate, broadcast 27 November 2022] (YouTube)

}}

In 2021, a new hull was constructed after a previous hull had cracked after 50 submersion dives, only three of which were to 4,000 m. Scale models of the new hull imploded when tested at the UW lab, so a different method of curing the hull was developed and passed a full-sized pressure test at a facility in Maryland. Rush refused to construct new domes and their interface rings, instead instructing engineers to salvage and reuse those parts from the previous hull. Anonymous former employees told Wired that damage to the rings could have weakened the joints between the domes and the new hull. The new submersible also included lifting rings, which had previously been warned against by engineers, as the submersible's titanium parts could not handle the associated tension or load.

In 2022, reporter David Pogue was aboard the surface ship when Titan became lost and could not locate the wreck of the Titanic during a dive.{{Cite episode |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29co_Hksk6o&t=447s |title=A visit to RMS Titanic |date=12 December 2022 |type=Videotape |language=English |series=CBS News Sunday Morning |via=YouTube |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928012839/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29co_Hksk6o&t=447s |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mongilio |first=Heather |date=21 June 2023 |title=UPDATED: 3 Ships Join in Search for Missing Submersible Titan, 2018 Lawsuit Alleged Flaws in Craft's Design |url=https://news.usni.org/2023/06/21/3-ships-join-in-search-for-missing-submersible-titan-2018-lawsuit-alleged-flaws-in-crafts-design |access-date=22 June 2023 |website=USNI News |language=en-US |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621191549/https://news.usni.org/2023/06/21/3-ships-join-in-search-for-missing-submersible-titan-2018-lawsuit-alleged-flaws-in-crafts-design |url-status=live}} Pogue's December 2022 report for CBS News Sunday Morning, which questioned Titan{{'s}} safety, went viral on social media after the submersible lost contact with its support ship in June 2023.{{Cite web |last=Kanter |first=Jake |date=20 June 2023 |title=CBS Story On OceanGate's Missing Titanic Sub Goes Viral After Reporter David Pogue Got Jitters Over Its 'Jerry-Rigged' Design |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/cbs-oceangate-titanic-submarine-viral-david-pogue-safety-concerns-1235420540/ |access-date=20 June 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153357/https://deadline.com/2023/06/cbs-oceangate-titanic-submarine-viral-david-pogue-safety-concerns-1235420540/ |url-status=live}} In the report, Pogue commented to Rush that "it seems like this submersible has some elements of MacGyvery jerry-rigged-ness". He said that a $30 Logitech F710 wireless game controller with modified control sticks was used to steer and pitch the submersible and that construction pipes were used as ballast.{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=20 June 2023 |title=Submarine missing near Titanic used a US$30 Logitech gamepad for steering |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/06/submarine-missing-near-titanic-used-a-30-logitech-gamepad-for-steering/ |access-date=20 June 2023 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620194949/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/06/submarine-missing-near-titanic-used-a-30-logitech-gamepad-for-steering/ |url-status=live}}

In another 2022 dive to the wreck, one of Titan{{'s}} thrusters was accidentally installed backwards and the submersible started spinning in circles when trying to move forward near the sea floor. According to the BBC documentary Take Me to Titanic, the issue was bypassed by steering while holding the game controller sideways.{{Cite episode |title=Take Me to Titanic - Part Two |series=The Travel Show |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001d7b6 |access-date=21 June 2023 |publisher=BBC |at=00:07:40 |language=en-GB |archive-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111171804/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001d7b6 |url-status=live}}{{Cite episode |date=8 October 2022 |title=The Return |series=Take Me To Titanic |url=https://tv.apple.com/us/episode/the-return/umc.cmc.50aslo62qnd058bu6foebeq66?showId=umc.cmc.7aj3bytq25u0s32re5tgfxb98 |access-date=21 June 2023 |publisher=Apple TV |at=00:07:40 |language=en-US |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153358/https://tv.apple.com/us/episode/the-return/umc.cmc.50aslo62qnd058bu6foebeq66?showId=umc.cmc.7aj3bytq25u0s32re5tgfxb98 |url-status=live}} According to November 2022 court filings, OceanGate reported that in a 2022 dive, the submersible suffered from battery problems and as a result had to be attached manually to a lifting platform, causing damage to external components.{{Cite news |first=Walter |last=Wuthmann |title=The company that sent a tourist submersible to the Titanic wreck has faced safety questions before |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/06/20/missing-titan-submersible-safety |access-date=21 June 2023 |publisher=WBUR-FM |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153359/https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/06/20/missing-titan-submersible-safety |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Finley |first1=Ben |last2=Ramer |first2=Holly |date=19 June 2023 |title=Deep-sea craft carrying 5 people to Titanic wreckage reported missing, search underway |language=en |agency=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/titanic-wreckage-missing-submersible-62fadef7a55af0022e3dc75df862a5c1 |url-status=live |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619191319/https://apnews.com/article/titanic-wreckage-missing-submersible-62fadef7a55af0022e3dc75df862a5c1 |archive-date=19 June 2023}}

On 15 July 2022 (dive 80), Titan experienced a "loud acoustic event" as it was ascending, which was heard by the passengers aboard and picked up by Titan{{'s}} real-time monitoring system (RTM). Data from Titan{{'s}} strain gauges later revealed that the hull's strain response had permanently shifted following this event.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/ntsb-engineer-titan-submersible-hull-anomalies/story?id=114076436 |title=NTSB engineer says Titan submersible's carbon-fiber hull showed 'anomalies' |last=Deliso |first=Meredith |date= 25 September 2024 |publisher= ABC News (United States) |access-date=8 April 2025 |quote=}}

The US Coast Guard investigation found that the loud acoustic event was the carbon fibre delaminating, and that every dive after this one was a disaster waiting to happen.{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq8TCFGaOlc|title=Titan submersible footage captures moment of implosion {{pipe}} BBC News|publisher=BBC News/YouTube|date=2025-05-23|accessdate=2025-05-23}}

Incident

= Expedition arrangements =

The voyage was booked in early 2023. Rush offered Jay Bloom, an American businessman, two discounted tickets, intending for Bloom and his son to be on the excursion. Bloom, a billionaire, was offered a price of $150,000 per seat, rather than the full price of $250,000, with Rush claiming that it was "safer than crossing the street", but Bloom declined the offer due to his concerns about its safety. At that time, the excursion was scheduled for May, but unfavourable weather caused it to be delayed until June.{{Cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/06/23/titanic-sub-tycoon-turned-down-seats-on-doomed-sub-over-safety-fears-19003516/ |title=Read the 'sliding door' texts that saved billionaire from Titanic sub disaster |first=Ben |last=Ashton |date=23 June 2023 |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623164434/https://metro.co.uk/2023/06/23/titanic-sub-tycoon-turned-down-seats-on-doomed-sub-over-safety-fears-19003516/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Simpson |first=Michael Lee |title=Las Vegas Financier Gave Up 'Titan' Sub Seats That Went to Billionaire and His 19-Year-Old Son |url=https://people.com/las-vegas-financier-jay-bloom-gave-up-titan-sub-seats-after-expressing-safety-concerns-7552550 |access-date=23 June 2023 |website=Peoplemag |language=en |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624000412/https://people.com/las-vegas-financier-jay-bloom-gave-up-titan-sub-seats-after-expressing-safety-concerns-7552550 |url-status=live}}

=16–17 June preparations=

File:Lunenburg Fishing Boat Yards 1 (cropped).jpg

On 16 June 2023 at 9:31 a.m., (local time; 12:01 UTC) the expedition to the Titanic{{'s}} wreck, which the company referred to as "Mission 5," departed from St. John's, Newfoundland, aboard the Canadian-flagged research and expedition ship {{MV|Polar Prince}}.{{Cite web |title=Titan Submersible - Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation |url=https://www.news.uscg.mil/News-by-Region/Headquarters/Titan-Submersible/ |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=United States Coast Guard News |publisher=USCG |type=dedicated webpage for the incident}}{{cite conference |author=United States Coast Guard |author-link= |date=2024-09-20 |title=Hearing Overview Factual Presentation |url=https://media.defense.gov/2024/Sep/20/2003551320/-1/-1/0/CG%20001%20%20OVERVIEW%20PRESENTATION%20TITAN%20%20V7%2020%20SEP%202024%20%20NO%20NARRATION_FINAL.PDF |conference=Submersible TITAN USCG Marine Board Public Hearing |publisher=Titan Submersible Marine Board of Investigation |pages= |access-date=2024-09-27}} One of the occupants, Hamish Harding, posted on Facebook: "Due to the worst winter in Newfoundland in 40 years, this mission is likely to be the first and only crewed mission to Titanic in 2023. A weather window has just opened up and we are going to attempt a dive tomorrow." He also indicated that the operation was scheduled to begin about 4:00 a.m. EDT (08:00 UTC).{{Cite news |date=21 June 2023 |title=Titanic sub timeline: when did it go missing and key events in search |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/missing-titanic-sub-when-it-vanished-race-find-it-2023-06-21/ |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622001050/https://www.reuters.com/world/missing-titanic-sub-when-it-vanished-race-find-it-2023-06-21/ |archive-date=22 June 2023}}

=18 June, dive, disappearance, and implosion=

{{external media

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|headerimage= |topic=Model animation for the MBI Titan submersible hearing (Sep 2024)|caption=|image1=| video1 = [https://www.dvidshub.net/video/embed/936788 Titan Submersible Animation, released 16 September 2024] (animation by Gary T. Markle)

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The ship arrived in vicinity of the Titanic wreck site on 18 June 5:15 a.m. Newfoundland Daylight Time (NDT; UTC−02:30). Around 8:30 a.m., five people were on-boarded into the Titan mounted on top of a floating platform, known as the launch and recovery system (LARS). Subsequently, the forward dome was secured for the expedition designated by the company as "Dive 88". At 8:55 a.m., the platform was vented, causing it to sink below the surface of the water. At 9:18 a.m., Titan disengaged from the platform and commenced diving. For the first hour and a half of the descent, Titan communicated with Polar Prince via text about every 15 minutes and received a "ping" every 5–10 seconds. At a depth of {{convert|2274|m}}, the submarine sent "all good here",{{Cite news |title='All good here': Last messages revealed from Titan submersible before implosion: Coast Guard |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/titan-submersible-implosion-coast-guard-hearing-last-messages/story?id=113729878 |author1=Meredith Deliso |author2=Clara McMichael |author3=Ayesha Ali |date=16 September 2024 |access-date=2024-09-17 |work=ABC News}} and usual "pings" continued on the communications channel. There were no messages during the descent that indicated trouble. A final text communication was sent from Titan at 10:47:27 a.m., at an approximate depth of {{convert|3341|m}} which read "dropped two wts". The final "ping" (data) from Titan was received at 10:47:33 a.m. NDT (13:17:33 UTC), at depth of {{convert|3346|m}}. Titan's location was {{Coord|41.73441|-49.9424|display=inline|format=dec}}. Before this final text was received, a loud bang was heard by people monitoring the submersible on the support ship. It transpired that this bang was the implosion of the submersible, the sound from which travelled faster than the message.[https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yg5qggvwjo Ship footage captures sound of Titan sub imploding] on bbc.com

A U.S. Navy acoustic detection system designed to locate military submarines detected an acoustic signal consistent with an implosion at 11:04 a.m. (13:34 UTC), less than two hours after Titan submerged. OceanGate had not informed any government agency that they were diving. Since the small composite submersible did not conform to known acoustic profiles of large military submarines with metal hulls, it was classed as "an anomaly".{{Cite news |last1=Kesling |first1=Ben |last2=Youssef |first2=Nancy A. |last3=Lubold |first3=Gordon |last4=Paris |first4=Costas |date=22 June 2023 |title=The Wall Street Journal News Exclusive {{!}} Top Secret U.S. Navy System Heard Titan Implosion Days Ago |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-navy-detected-titan-sub-implosion-days-ago-6844cb12 |url-status=live |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622214739/https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-navy-detected-titan-sub-implosion-days-ago-6844cb12 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |issn=0099-9660 |url-access=subscription}}{{Cite web |last=Hurley |first=Graham |date=2025-02-12 |title=US Coast Guard releases suspected audio recording of Titan submersible implosion |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/12/us/titan-submersible-implosion-audio-coast-guard/index.html |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=CNN |language=en}}

Shortly after the disaster, James Cameron indicated that it was likely that the submersible's early warning system alerted the passengers to an impending delamination of the hull,{{rp|at=08:05}} saying "we understand from inside the community that they had dropped their ascent weights and were coming up, trying to manage an emergency."{{cite web | url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/james-cameron-compares-submersible-tragedy-titanic-sinking-im/story?id=100314415 | title=James Cameron compares submersible tragedy to Titanic sinking: 'I'm struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster' | website=ABC News | access-date=6 July 2023 | archive-date=7 July 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707002217/https://abcnews.go.com/US/james-cameron-compares-submersible-tragedy-titanic-sinking-im/story?id=100314415 | url-status=live}}{{rp|at=08:13}} In a 2024 interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Cameron stated that "nobody could admit that they didn't have the means to go down and look", referring to the limitations faced by parties attempting to reach the last known position.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwSaZfwBrz8 |title=FULL INTERVIEW: James Cameron on the OceanGate sub disaster {{!}} 60 Minutes Australia |date=2024-12-16 |last=60 Minutes Australia |type=Television production |place=Australia |access-date=2025-06-07 |via=YouTube}}{{rp|at=07:33}} Oceanographer Bob Ballard, the discoverer of the Titanic wreck, also said that the crew was likely "experiencing difficulties" and was trying to ascend at the time of the implosion.{{cite news |date=23 June 2023 |title=Titanic expert Bob Ballard reacts to 'catastrophic implosion' of missing submersible |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jJ_SSU-ocU |access-date=21 September 2024 |language=English |agency=ABC News}}

In September 2024, Tym Catterson, an OceanGate contractor who was aboard the Polar Prince at the time of the disaster, testified at the United States Coast Guard's inquiry that there was no indication the crew was aware of any problems before the implosion. The last human-written communication by Titan indicated that they dropped two weights, amounting to about {{convert|70|lb|kg}} of the {{convert|200|lb|kg}} to {{convert|300|lb|kg}} of dropweights on board. This was apparently routine to adjust the Titan{{'}}s buoyancy from negative to neutral as it approached the seabed,{{cite web |title=USCG Titan Submersible Hearing, Sept. 16 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avp_-wN3ekA |website=YouTube |publisher=United States Coast Guard |access-date=21 September 2024 |pages=Time code 8:10:56 |language=English |date=16 September 2023}} and was an indication that the crew was not aware of any emergency situation.{{cite news |last1=Bogel-Burroughs |first1=Nicholas |last2=Broad |first2=WIlliam J. |title=Titan disaster hearing upends earlier expert theories on crew deaths |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/titan-disaster-hearing-upends-earlier-expert-theories-on-crew-deaths/ |access-date=21 September 2024 |agency=The New York Times |publisher=The Seattle Times |date=18 September 2024}} The last automatic ping was received by the Polar Prince approximately six seconds later, after which contact was lost.

Simulations developed in 2023 suggest that due to the immense pressure – nearly 400 atm, or 6,000 psi – implosion of the vessel likely took only a few milliseconds,{{cite journal |last1=Obreschkow |first1=Danail |title=From Cavitation to Astrophysics: Explicit Solution of the Spherical Collapse Equation |journal=Phys. Rev. E |date=7 June 2024 |volume=109 |issue=6 |pages=065102 |doi=10.1103/PhysRevE.109.065102 |url=https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevE.109.065102|arxiv=2401.05445 }} fast enough to kill the occupants before they became aware of it.{{cite web | url=https://www.engineering.com/story/simulation-reveals-exactly-how-titan-submersible-imploded | title=Simulation Reveals Exactly How Titan Submersible Imploded | date=18 July 2023 | access-date=11 January 2024 | archive-date=16 September 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916224211/https://www.engineering.com/simulation-reveals-exactly-how-titan-submersible-imploded/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://theconversation.com/what-was-the-catastrophic-implosion-of-the-titan-submersible-an-expert-explains-208359 | title=What was the 'catastrophic implosion' of the Titan submersible? An expert explains | date=23 June 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://apnews.com/article/titanic-shipwreck-titan-submersible-search-deepsea-atlantic-implosion-90b9c54c3887c99099170a5afded15bc | title=What happens during a catastrophic implosion? Titan submersible occupants likely died instantly | website=Associated Press News | date=23 June 2023 | access-date=11 January 2024 | archive-date=28 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228205909/https://apnews.com/article/titanic-shipwreck-titan-submersible-search-deepsea-atlantic-implosion-90b9c54c3887c99099170a5afded15bc | url-status=live }}

=18–22 June, search and rescue efforts=

File:Coast Guard holds press briefing for missing submersible 900 miles east of Cape Cod.webm

File:Deep Energy, IMO 9481154 at the Tweede Werkhaven, Port of Rotterdam pic2.JPG

The submersible was expected to resurface at 4:30 p.m. (19:00 UTC). At 7:10 p.m. (21:40 UTC), the U.S. Coast Guard was notified that the vessel was missing.{{Cite news |last=Winsor |first=Morgan |date=22 June 2023 |title=A timeline of the missing Titanic tourist submersible |publisher=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/missing-titanic-tourist-submersible-timeline/story?id=100265183 |url-status=live |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621101011/https://abcnews.go.com/International/missing-titanic-tourist-submersible-timeline/story?id=100265183 |archive-date=21 June 2023}} The Navy reviewed its acoustic data from that time and passed the information about the possible implosion event to the Coast Guard.{{Cite news |last1=Kurmelovs |first1=Royce |last2=Singh |first2=Maanvi |last3=Yang |first3=Maya |last4=Chao-Fong |first4=Léonie |last5=Lawther |first5=Sam Jones |date=22 June 2023 |title=US navy detected likely implosion of Titan submersible hours after it began its mission |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jun/22/titanic-sub-live-updates-search-titan-missing-submarine-submersible-rescue-us-coast-guard-latest-news |access-date=22 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |via=AP News |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622045846/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jun/22/titanic-sub-live-updates-search-titan-missing-submarine-submersible-rescue-us-coast-guard-latest-news |url-status=live}} Titan had as much as 96 hours of breathable air supply for its five passengers when it set out,{{Cite news |date=21 June 2023 |title=Titanic tourist submersible live updates: Rescuers race against time |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/titanic-missing-submersible-live-updates-rcna90103 |access-date=21 June 2023 |publisher=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621002241/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/titanic-missing-submersible-live-updates-rcna90103 |url-status=live}} which would have expired on the morning of 22 June 2023 if the submersible had remained intact.{{Cite news |last1=Vlamis |first1=Kelsey |last2=Lee |first2=Lloyd |last3=Baker |first3=Sinéad |date=22 June 2023 |title=Missing Titanic Sub Has Likely Used All Its Oxygen, Prospects Bleak |language=en |website=Insider |url=https://www.insider.com/titan-sub-likely-used-96-hours-oxygen-prospects-bleak-2023-6 |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153920/https://www.insider.com/titan-sub-likely-used-96-hours-oxygen-prospects-bleak-2023-6 |url-status=live }}

The United States Coast Guard, United States Navy, and Canadian Coast Guard organized the search.{{Cite press release |date=20 June 2023 |location=Boston |title=Unified Command established for missing submersible from Polar Prince |url=https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3433572/unified-command-established-for-missing-submersible-from-polar-prince/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621015357/https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3433572/unified-command-established-for-missing-submersible-from-polar-prince/ |archive-date=21 June 2023 |access-date=21 June 2023 |publisher=United States Coast Guard |language=en-US}} Aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force and United States Air National Guard, a Royal Canadian Navy ship, and several commercial and research ships and remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROVs) also assisted with the search.{{Cite news |last1=Liebermann |first1=Oren |last2=Britzky |first2=Haley |date=20 June 2023 |title=US military moving military and commercial assets to help submersible search efforts |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-submersible-missing-search-06-20-23/h_986e7fa7d849e30d0b1b92c7e8114947 |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621120210/https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-submersible-missing-search-06-20-23/h_986e7fa7d849e30d0b1b92c7e8114947 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Ryan |date=20 June 2023 |title=U.S. air force aircraft land in St. John's with gear to aid in search for missing submersible |language=en-GB |publisher=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/titanic-submersible-titan-missing-day-3-1.6881595 |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622052515/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/titanic-submersible-titan-missing-day-3-1.6881595 |url-status=live}} The surface was searched, as were the depths by sonar.

Crews from the United States Coast Guard launched search missions {{convert|900|nmi|km}} from the shore of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.{{Cite tweet |user=USCGNortheast |author-link=U.S. Coast Guard |number=1670842498317533207 |title=A @USCG C-130 crew is searching for an overdue Canadian research submarine approximately 900 miles off #CapeCod. |date=19 June 2023 |access-date=19 June 2023 |language=en-US}}{{Cite press release |date=19 June 2023 |title=Coast Guard to hold press briefing for missing submersible 900 miles east of Cape Cod |url=https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3431840/coast-guard-to-hold-press-briefing-for-missing-submersible-900-miles-east-of-ca |access-date=19 June 2023 |publisher=United States Coast Guard |language=en-US |archive-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620045937/https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3431840/coast-guard-to-hold-press-briefing-for-missing-submersible-900-miles-east-of-ca/ |url-status=live}} Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax reported that a Royal Canadian Air Force Lockheed CP-140 Aurora aircraft and CCGS Kopit Hopson 1752 were participating in the search in response to a request for assistance by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Boston made on 18 June at 9:43 p.m. (00:13 UTC).{{cite news |last1=Petri |first1=Alexandra E. |last2=Lin |first2=Summer |date=19 June 2023 |title=Titanic tourist submersible carrying 5 disappears on trip to see wreck in North Atlantic |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-06-19/titanic-missing-submarine-tourist-tour-north-atlantic-wreck |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619210325/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-06-19/titanic-missing-submarine-tourist-tour-north-atlantic-wreck |url-status=live}}{{Cite tweet |number=1670908769478352897 |user=hfxjrcc |title=JRCC Halifax has tasked one Royal Canadian Air Force Aurora aircraft out of 14 Wing Greenwood in Nova Scotia for aerial search, and Canadian Coast Guard Vessel Kopit Hopson 1752 will also be assisting MRCC Boston with a surface search for the submersible. |author=Halifax JRCC CCCOS |date=19 June 2023 |access-date=19 June 2023}} The search on 19 June involved three C-130 Hercules aircraft, two from the United States and one from Canada;{{Cite news |last1=Da Silva |first1=Chantal |last2=McCausland |first2=Phil |date=20 June 2023 |title=Behind the U.S. Coast Guard's search |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/titanic-missing-submersible-live-updates-rcna90103 |access-date=22 June 2023 |publisher=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621002241/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/titanic-missing-submersible-live-updates-rcna90103 |url-status=live}} a P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine warfare aircraft from the United States, and sonobuoys.{{Cite news |last1=Andrew-Gee |first1=Eric |last2=Cook |first2=Dustin |date=19 June 2023 |title=Missing Titanic submersible prompts search operation off the coast of Newfoundland |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-titanic-expedition-submersible-missing/ |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153903/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-titanic-expedition-submersible-missing/ |url-status=live}} Search and rescue was hampered by low-visibility weather conditions, which cleared the next day.{{Cite news |date=20 June 2023 |title=Visibility for aerial search has improved today, Coast Guard official says |url=https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-submersible-missing-search-06-20-23/h_fbe5f0d94e1ac2466821e449e02b4269 |access-date=20 June 2023 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153903/https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-submersible-missing-search-06-20-23/h_fbe5f0d94e1ac2466821e449e02b4269 |url-status=live}}

The U.S. Coast Guard indicated that the search and rescue mission was difficult because of the remote location, weather, darkness, sea conditions, and water temperature.{{Cite news |last1=Gross |first1=Jenny |last2=Bubola |first2=Emma |last3=Jiménez |first3=Jesus |date=19 June 2023 |title=Missing Submersible: Vessel Disappears During Dive to the Titanic Wreck Site |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/19/us/titanic-missing-sub-tourist-tour |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620011427/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/19/us/titanic-missing-sub-tourist-tour |archive-date=20 June 2023}} Rear Admiral John Mauger said that they were "deploying all available assets". Many submersibles have acoustic beacons that can be detected underwater by rescuers; Titan did not.{{failed verification|date=June 2023}}

File:2023-06-20 - New York ATC message about the missing submersible 'Titan' (cropped).jpg CPDLC message, displayed in the cockpit of El Al's Boeing 787-9, 4X-EDL on 20 June.|alt=Digital display showing the aircraft registration, the date, the time in UTC "20:38:43z", and the text 'Can you keep an eye out outside for the next 20mins, you are in the area of the missing sub.']]

The pipe-laying ship Deep Energy, operated by TechnipFMC, arrived on site on 20 June 2023, with two ROVs and other equipment suited to the seabed depths in the area. As of 10:45 a.m. (13:15 UTC), the U.S. Coast Guard had searched {{Convert|10,000|sqmi|km2}}.{{Cite tweet |number=1671144862022868994 |user=USCGNortheast |title=#Update A Canadian Aircraft P3 Aurora has arrived on scene to conduct sonar searches. The R/V Polar Prince and R/V Deep Energy are continuing their surface searches. Total search area completed as of this morning is 10,000 SQ miles. #Titanic |author-link=U.S. Coast Guard |date=20 June 2023 |access-date=20 June 2023}} The New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing joined in the search and rescue mission with a HC-130J, with plans for two more to join by the end of the day.[https://abc7ny.com/titanic-submersible-coast-guard-search-new-york-air-national/13406795/ "New York Air National Guard assisting in search for missing Titanic submersible"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622071058/https://abc7ny.com/titanic-submersible-coast-guard-search-new-york-air-national/13406795/ |date=22 June 2023 }}. WABC-TV. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.

According to an internal U.S. government memo, a Canadian CP-140 Aurora's sonar picked up underwater noises while searching for the submersible.{{Cite news |last1=Bogel-Burroughs |first1=Nicholas |last2=Jiménez |first2=Jesus |last3=Ives |first3=Mike |date=21 June 2023 |title=Missing Titanic Submersible: 'We Need to Have Hope': More Ships Join Search |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/21/us/titanic-missing-submarine |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622020232/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/21/us/titanic-missing-submarine |url-status=live}} The U.S. Coast Guard officially acknowledged the sounds early the next morning, but reported that early investigations had not yielded results.{{Cite news |last1=Salahieh |first1=Nouran |last2=Levenson |first2=Eric |last3=Alvarez |first3=Priscilla |last4=Sanchez |first4=Ray |date=20 June 2023 |title=Banging sounds heard during Titan search, according to internal US government memo |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/20/us/titanic-shipwreck-vessel-missing-tuesday/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621031812/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/20/us/titanic-shipwreck-vessel-missing-tuesday/index.html |archive-date=21 June 2023 |access-date=21 June 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en}} Rear Admiral John Mauger of the U.S. Coast Guard said the source of the noise was unknown and may have come from the many metal objects at the site of the wreck.{{Cite news |last1=Chao-Fong |first1=Léonie |last2=Henley |first2=Jon |date=21 June 2023 |title=Titanic sub live updates: source of 'banging noises' still unknown, says US Coast Guard, as search continues |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jun/21/titanic-sub-live-updates-search-us-coast-guard-submarine-submersible |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153901/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/jun/21/titanic-sub-live-updates-search-us-coast-guard-submarine-submersible |url-status=live}} A Canadian CP-140 Aurora airplane had previously spotted a "white rectangular object" floating on the surface. A ship sent to find and identify the object was diverted to help find the source of the noise. The noises were later described by the U.S. Coast Guard as being apparently unrelated to the missing vessel.{{Cite web |date=22 June 2023 |title=Main takeaways from today's press conference |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-us-canada-65967464 |access-date=22 June 2023 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622004421/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-us-canada-65967464 |url-status=live}}

CCGS John Cabot arrived on the morning of 21 June, bringing additional sonar capabilities to the search effort. Commercial vessels Skandi Vinland and Atlantic Merlin also arrived that day, as did a US Coast Guard C-130 crew.{{Cite press release |date=21 June 2023 |title=Joint search continues for missing submersible, Titan |url=https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3435166/joint-search-continues-for-missing-submersible-titan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622003122/https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3435166/joint-search-continues-for-missing-submersible-titan/ |archive-date=22 June 2023 |access-date=22 June 2023 |publisher=United States Coast Guard}} As of about 3:00 p.m. (17:30 UTC), five air and water vehicles were searching actively for Titan, and another five were expected to arrive in the next 24–48 hours.{{Cite news |date=21 June 2023 |title=Here's the team that is assisting in the search efforts for the missing sub |url=https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-21-23/h_ffb20f063cebab92cd8e082b367964b1 |access-date=21 June 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153903/https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-21-23/h_ffb20f063cebab92cd8e082b367964b1 |url-status=live}} Search and rescue assets included two ROVs, one CP-140 Aurora aircraft, and the C-130 aircraft.

The U.S. Navy's Flyaway Deep Ocean Salvage System (FADOSS), a ship lift system designed to lift large and heavy objects from the deep sea, arrived in St. John's, though no ships were available to carry the system to the wreck site.{{Cite news |last1=Britzky |first1=Haley |last2=Liebermann |first2=Oren |date=20 June 2023 |title=US Navy sending experts and deep ocean salvage system to aid in submersible search |url=https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-submersible-missing-search-06-20-23/h_8137a5b4ac0c5e22622456fce3ed4f6b |access-date=20 June 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153904/https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-submersible-missing-search-06-20-23/h_8137a5b4ac0c5e22622456fce3ed4f6b |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=21 June 2023 |title=Navy salvage system is in St. John's and preparing for mobilization, Navy official says |url=https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-21-23/h_21e88c04fe3c16bba7e309f721b0b16c |access-date=21 June 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153902/https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-21-23/h_21e88c04fe3c16bba7e309f721b0b16c |url-status=live}} Officials estimated it would take about 24 hours to weld the FADOSS system to the deck of a carrier ship before it could set sail to the search and rescue operation.

Despite increasing concerns about the depletion of air supplies in Titan, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson said at a press conference "This is a search and rescue mission 100%", rather than a wreckage recovery mission.{{Cite news |date=21 June 2023 |title=Coast Guard says operation to find missing submersible is '100%' still a search and rescue mission |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-21-23/h_1c8922c29f9e204c44f8b7c1889fe38e |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153904/https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-21-23/h_1c8922c29f9e204c44f8b7c1889fe38e |url-status=live}}

File:Coast Guard, partners hold press briefing for 21-ft submersible Titan 900 miles east of Cape Cod (DOD 109721208).webm

An Odysseus{{Nbsp}}6k ROV from Pelagic Research Services, travelling aboard the Canadian-flagged offshore tugboat MV Horizon Arctic, reached the sea floor and began its search for the missing submersible.{{Cite tweet |user=USCGNortheast |author-link=U.S. Coast Guard |number=1671834476303794176 |title=The Canadian vessel Horizon Arctic has deployed an ROV that has reached the sea floor and began its search for the missing sub. |date=22 June 2023 |access-date=22 June 2023 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=HORIZON ARCTIC, Offshore Tug/Supply Ship - Details and current position - IMO 9732838 - VesselFinder |url=https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9732838 |access-date=22 June 2023 |website=vesselfinder.com |archive-date=23 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523083547/https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9732838 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=22 June 2023 |title=What we know about the Horizon Arctic ROV |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-65967464 |access-date=22 June 2023 |work=BBC News |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622094614/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-65967464 |url-status=live}} The French RV L'Atalante also deployed its ROV {{Ship||Victor 6000}}, which can reach depths of as much as {{cvt|6000|m|ft}} and transmit images to the surface.{{Cite tweet |user=USCGNortheast |author-link=U.S. Coast Guard |number=1671843166373265408 |title=The French vessel L'Atalante has just deployed their ROV. |date=22 June 2023 |access-date=22 June 2023}}

=22 June, discovery of debris=

File:Coast Guard holds press briefing about discovery of debris belonging to the 21-ft submersible, Titan (DOD 109724174).webm

File:Wreckage of Titan submersible aft section.png

File:OceanGate Titan submersible ocean floor footage.webm inspecting Titan on the ocean floor, 22 June]]

At 1:18 p.m. (15:48 UTC) on 22 June the U.S. Coast Guard's Northeast Sector announced that a debris field had been found near the wreck of the Titanic.{{Cite news |last1=Whittle |first1=Patrick |last2=Ramer |first2=Holly |date=22 June 2023 |title=The U.S. Coast Guard says debris field has been found near the Titanic during search for submersible |url=https://apnews.com/article/missing-titanic-submersible-updates-6255308420cb542fab287224c3e9b1c1 |access-date=22 June 2023 |work=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622074713/https://apnews.com/article/missing-titanic-submersible-updates-6255308420cb542fab287224c3e9b1c1 |url-status=live}}{{Cite tweet |number=1671907901542211584 |user=USCGNortheast |title=A debris field was discovered within the search area by an ROV near the Titanic. Experts within the unified command are evaluating the information. 1/2 |author-link=U.S. Coast Guard |date=22 June 2023 |access-date=22 June 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Sephton |first=Connor |date=22 June 2023 |title='Debris field' discovered within search area near Titanic, US Coast Guard says |publisher=Sky News |url=https://news.sky.com/story/debris-field-discovered-within-search-area-near-titanic-us-coast-guard-says-12906735 |url-status=live |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622155529/https://news.sky.com/story/debris-field-discovered-within-search-area-near-titanic-us-coast-guard-says-12906735 |archive-date=22 June 2023}} The debris, located by Pelagic Research Services' Odysseus{{Nbsp}}6k ROV five hours into its search, was later confirmed to be part of the submersible.{{cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Shawn J. |last2=Loehrke |first2=Janet |last3=Padilla |first3=Ramon |title=Debris field confirmed to be missing Titanic submarine. This is where it was finally found |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/06/22/debris-titanic-confirmed-missing-sub-maps-graphics-explain-titan-submarine-submersible/70347673007/ |access-date=22 June 2023 |work=USA Today |date=22 June 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622210838/https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/06/22/debris-titanic-confirmed-missing-sub-maps-graphics-explain-titan-submarine-submersible/70347673007/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Salahieh |first1=Nouran |last2=Cohen |first2=Gabe |last3=Levenson |first3=Eric |date=22 June 2023 |title=Located debris has been assessed to be from the external body of the missing submersible, according to memo reviewed by CNN |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/22/us/submersible-titanic-oceangate-search-thursday/index.html |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622070006/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/22/us/submersible-titanic-oceangate-search-thursday/index.html |url-status=live}} At 4:30 p.m. (19:00 UTC) – at a U.S. Coast Guard press conference in Boston – the Coast Guard said that the loss of the submersible was due to an implosion of the pressure chamber and that pieces of Titan had been found on the sea floor about 1,600 feet (about 500 metres) northeast of the bow of the Titanic.{{cite news |title=Watch Coast Guard press conference live: Officials give updates on missing Titanic sub |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/06/22/coast-guard-press-conference-titanic-sub/70345483007/ |work=USA Today |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622193619/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/06/22/coast-guard-press-conference-titanic-sub/70345483007/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |first1=A.L. |last1=Lee |first2=Matt |last2=Bernardini |title=Submersible crew presumed dead in 'catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber' |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2023/06/22/more-ships-arrive-to-search-for-missing-titanic-submersible/1631687428433 |work=United Press International |date=22 June 2023 |access-date=23 June 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |title=Titanic sub live updates: Crew of Titan sub believed to be dead, says vessel operator |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-65967464 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622094614/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-65967464 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |access-date=22 June 2023 |website=BBC News |date=20 June 2023 |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last=Patil |first=Anushka |date=22 June 2023 |title=The debris found today was 'consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber' in the submersible, Mauger said. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/22/us/titanic-missing-submarine/6194ed81-28d7-53dc-8946-c39b3c4a5488 |access-date=22 June 2023 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153919/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/06/22/us/titanic-missing-submarine/6194ed81-28d7-53dc-8946-c39b3c4a5488 |url-status=live}}

The identified debris consisted of the tail cone (not part of the pressure vessel) and the forward and aft end bells – both part of the pressure vessel intended to protect the crew from the ocean environment.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-65992579 |title=US Coast Guard confirms Titan sub pressure loss |work=BBC News |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622192920/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-65992579 |url-status=live}} According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the debris field was concentrated in two areas, with the aft end bell lying separate from the front end bell and the tail cone.{{Cite news |title=US Navy details what Titan debris was found |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-65993550 |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622201441/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-65993550 |url-status=live}}

Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard said that the debris was consistent with a "catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber". Mauger stated that he did not have an answer as to whether the bodies of those on board would be recovered, but he did say that it was "an incredibly unforgiving environment".{{Cite news |last=Debusmann |first=Bernd Jr |date=22 June 2023 |title=All five people on missing Titan sub are dead - Coast Guard |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65993579 |url-status=live |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622192611/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65993579 |archive-date=22 June 2023}}

=Fatalities=

The implosion killed all five occupants:

class="wikitable" ! Name !! Age !! Nationality !! Notable information
Shahzada Dawood	48	Pakistani-British-Maltese	Director of Dawood Hercules Corporation{{cite news \|date=20 June 2023 \|title=Rescue teams race to find five people missing on Titanic sub \|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-us-canada-65953941 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619211642/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-us-canada-65953941 \|archive-date=19 June 2023 \|access-date=20 June 2023 \|work=BBC News}} and philanthropist,{{cite news \|last1=Naddaf \|first1=Miryam \|last2=Masood \|first2=Ehsan \|date=23 June 2023 \|title=Two Titan submersible passengers were prominent science philanthropists in Pakistan \|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02100-y \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625133454/https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02100-y \|archive-date=25 June 2023 \|access-date=25 June 2023 \|journal=Nature \|language=en \|doi=10.1038/d41586-023-02100-y}} a son of Pakistani businessman Hussain Dawood and grandson of Pakistani industrialist Ahmed Dawood.
Suleman Dawood	19	Pakistani-British	Son of Shahzada Dawood, student at the University of Strathclyde, and the youngest onboard;{{Cite news \|last=Rutherford \|first=Nichola \|date=22 June 2023 \|title=Teen on stricken Titanic sub is Strathclyde University student \|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65984821 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622160911/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65984821 \|archive-date=22 June 2023 \|access-date=22 June 2023 \|work=BBC News}} his mother Christine Dawood gave up her seat for him to go down.{{Cite web \|last=Guy \|first=Jack \|date=2023-06-26 \|title=Mother let son take her place on doomed Titanic trip because he 'really wanted to go' \|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/26/world/christine-dawood-interview-titan-submersible-scli-intl/index.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629174146/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/26/world/christine-dawood-interview-titan-submersible-scli-intl/index.html \|archive-date=29 June 2023 \|access-date=2023-07-15 \|website=CNN \|language=en}}{{Cite news \|date=26 June 2023 \|title=Teenager on Titanic sub took Rubik's Cube to break record, mother says \|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=zpwswMP9Sk0&t=144s \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720090523/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpwswMP9Sk0&t=144s \|archive-date=20 July 2023 \|access-date=15 July 2023 \|work=BBC News \|quote="It was supposed to be Shahzada and I going down, and then I stepped back and gave this space to Suleman because he really wanted to go"}}
Hamish Harding	58	British	Businessman, aviator, and space tourist;{{Cite web \|last1=Finley \|first1=Ben \|last2=Ramer \|first2=Holly \|date=20 June 2023 \|title=UK billionaire on lost submersible vessel holds 3 Guinness World Records and was 'looking forward to conducting research' at Titanic site \|url=https://fortune.com/2023/06/20/who-is-hamish-harding-british-uk-billionaire-titanic-vessel-lost/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621131409/https://fortune.com/2023/06/20/who-is-hamish-harding-british-uk-billionaire-titanic-vessel-lost/ \|archive-date=21 June 2023 \|access-date=22 June 2023 \|website=Fortune \|language=en}} previously descended into the Challenger Deep, set Guinness World Record for fastest circumnavigation of the Earth,{{Cite web \|date=11 July 2019 \|title=Fastest circumnavigation via both Poles by aeroplane \|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-circumnavigation-via-both-poles-by-aeroplane \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831200654/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-circumnavigation-via-both-poles-by-aeroplane \|archive-date=31 August 2021 \|access-date=24 June 2023 \|website=Guinness World Records}} flew into space in 2022 on Blue Origin NS-21
Paul-Henri Nargeolet	77	French	Former French Navy commander, diver, submersible pilot; member of the French Institute for Research and Exploitation of the Sea, director of underwater research for E/M Group and RMS Titanic Inc.,{{Cite news \|last1=Helmore \|first1=Edward \|last2=Cecco \|first2=Leyland \|date=20 June 2023 \|title=Titanic tourist submarine: desperate search for craft missing with five onboard \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/19/titanic-tourist-submarine-missing-north-atlantic \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619231757/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/19/titanic-tourist-submarine-missing-north-atlantic \|archive-date=19 June 2023 \|access-date=20 June 2023 \|work=The Guardian \|language=en-GB}} directed over 35 expeditions to the wreck,{{Cite news \|last=Hopper \|first=Tristin \|date=19 June 2023 \|title=The (incredibly expensive) Titanic tourism industry that just lost a submarine \|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/titanic-submarine-lost-oceangate-expeditions \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628154406/https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/titanic-submarine-lost-oceangate-expeditions \|archive-date=28 June 2023 \|access-date=20 June 2023 \|work=National Post}} supervised the recovery of thousands of artifacts, and was "widely considered the leading authority on the wreck site".
Stockton Rush	61	American	Submersible pilot, engineer, businessman; CEO and co-founder of OceanGate.{{Cite news \|date=20 June 2023 \|title=Who is on the missing Titanic sub? \|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/whos-board-missing-titanic-sub-2023-06-20/ \|url-access=registration \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620130931/https://www.reuters.com/world/whos-board-missing-titanic-sub-2023-06-20/ \|archive-date=20 June 2023 \|access-date=20 June 2023 \|work=Reuters}}

Recovery operations

{{Multiple image

| image1 = Forward dome salvage operation (Videoframe 93431).png

| image2 = Videoframe 125654.png

| direction = vertical

| caption2 = ROV lifting the forward endcap

| caption1 = ROV recovery operation of the forward endcap, 26 June

| total_width = 240

}}

Pelagic Research Services confirmed on 23 June 2023 that a new mission to the Titan debris field was already underway and that it had taken the Odysseus 6k ROV one hour to reach the site to continue searching and documenting debris.{{cite news |last=Plants |first=Ron |url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/east-aurora-pelagic-research-gear-crew-find-titan-submersible/71-8c1b8734-b46a-4f50-8aa7-78cdba12fea3 |title=East Aurora-based Pelagic Research gear, crew find Titan submersible |date=23 June 2023 |access-date=25 June 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628153905/https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/east-aurora-pelagic-research-gear-crew-find-titan-submersible/71-8c1b8734-b46a-4f50-8aa7-78cdba12fea3 |url-status=live |work=WGRZ }}{{cite web |last=McCarron |first=Heather |url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2023/06/22/missing-titanic-sub-search-cape-cod-pelagic-research-services-wellfleet/70346843007/ |title=Wellfleet company joins efforts to find missing submersible |access-date=25 June 2023 |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625004433/https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2023/06/22/missing-titanic-sub-search-cape-cod-pelagic-research-services-wellfleet/70346843007/ |url-status=live}}

It was further reported that the debris from Titan was too heavy for Pelagic's ROV to lift and that any recovery would need to occur at a later time.{{cite news |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-65967464 |title=Titanic sub live updates: Safety investigations launched into Titan implosion deaths |date=20 June 2023 |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622094614/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-65967464 |url-status=live}}

On 24 June, Polar Prince returned to St. John's harbour. In their bid to understand what caused Titan{{'s}} catastrophic loss, investigators boarded the support ship. Another boat was seen in the harbour towing the floating launch platform, which the company referred to as the launch and recovery system (LARS), which Titan used.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66008843 |title=Titan sub: Investigators board Polar Prince as it returns to harbour |work=BBC News |date=24 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624204112/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66008843 |url-status=live}}

On 28 June, Horizon Arctic returned to St. John's Harbour with the remains of Titan that were recovered from the debris field.{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title=See photos of recovered Titan sub debris after 'catastrophic implosion' during Titanic voyage |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/titan-sub-titanic-photos-implosion-debris/ |access-date=29 June 2023 |work=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628231903/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/titan-sub-titanic-photos-implosion-debris/ |url-status=live }} Photographs and videos showed the titanium covers on both ends of Titan intact, with the single viewport missing, mangled pieces of the tail cone, electronics, the landing frame and other debris. The debris was to be transported to the U.S. as evidence for the investigation.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Coast Guard recovers evidence from TITAN submersible |url=https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3443110/us-coast-guard-recovers-evidence-from-titan-submersible/ |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=United States Coast Guard News |language=en-US |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628220023/https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3443110/us-coast-guard-recovers-evidence-from-titan-submersible/ |url-status=live }} The Coast Guard confirmed that presumed human remains were found within the debris, and that American medical professionals would conduct an analysis.{{Cite web |title='Presumed human remains' found in wreckage of Titan sub |url=https://news.sky.com/story/presumed-human-remains-found-from-wreckage-of-titan-sub-12911403 |access-date=28 June 2023 |publisher=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628220954/https://news.sky.com/story/presumed-human-remains-found-from-wreckage-of-titan-sub-12911403 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Deliso |first=Meredith |date=28 June 2023 |title=Salvaged debris from Titan submersible contains 'presumed human remains': US Coast Guard |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/debris-titan-submersible-brought-ashore-after-catastrophic-implosion/story?id=100444499 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628162925/https://abcnews.go.com/International/debris-titan-submersible-brought-ashore-after-catastrophic-implosion/story?id=100444499 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Madani |first=Doha |date=28 June 2023 |title=Human remains and debris from sub returned to land after fatal implosion near Titanic site |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/debris-titanic-submersible-implosion-returns-land-rcna91735 |access-date=28 June 2023 |publisher=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628224059/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/debris-titanic-submersible-implosion-returns-land-rcna91735 |url-status=live }} Pelagic Research Services, which was operating the Odysseus 6K ROV from Horizon Arctic, confirmed that its team had completed their mission.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/canada-titan-debris-2961cba3c3cc3686f27783183efb60e9 |title=Ship carrying debris from Titan submersible returns to Newfoundland port |date=28 June 2023 |work=AP News |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628163211/https://apnews.com/article/canada-titan-debris-2961cba3c3cc3686f27783183efb60e9 |url-status=live }} The initial human remains underwent DNA testing, but no report was released shortly after.{{Cite web| url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/titan-human-remains-dna-update-july-25-1.6915962 | title=Investigators doing DNA testing on human remains recovered from Titan submersible | access-date=12 June 2024 | archive-date=16 September 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916224213/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/titan-human-remains-dna-update-july-25-1.6915962 | url-status=live}} In September 2024, during the public hearing by the Marine Board of Investigation, USCG confirmed that the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, located in Dover, Delaware, positively identified DNA profiles for the five victims.{{refn|group=note|name=DNA-note|It has been reported by USCG that upon positive identification of DNA samples, the Rhode Island Medical Examiner (US) coordinated decedent affairs with the families. See page 28 of the following reference:}}

File:U.S. Coast Guard marine safety engineers conduct a survey of the aft titanium endcap from Titan - 231001-G-G0000-1001.jpg

On 30 June, Insider published an analysis of the recovery photos by University of Plymouth professor Jasper Graham-Jones. He concluded that a failure of the carbon-fibre hull was the most likely cause of the loss, given that no large pieces of carbon fibre are known to have been recovered. Another possible cause was the acrylic viewing window. He noted that the window was absent from its bell housing when it was recovered. While the salvage team may have removed the window before salvaging its bell housing, they more likely would have left it in place. However, Graham-Jones said that if the window had failed before the hull rather than after, he would have expected larger pieces of carbon fibre to be recovered.{{Cite web |last=Guenot |first=Marianne |date=30 June 2023 |title=Photos of the Titan sub's wreckage support the theory that the carbon-fiber hull failed first, expert says |url=https://news.yahoo.com/photos-titan-subs-wreckage-support-144837933.html |access-date=30 June 2023 |website=Yahoo News |publisher=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630155343/https://news.yahoo.com/photos-titan-subs-wreckage-support-144837933.html |url-status=live}}

During early October, engineers recovered the rest of the debris and presumed human remains.{{cite news |last=Wendling |first=Mike |date=2023-10-11 |title=Remaining debris from destroyed Titan sub found on Atlantic seabed |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67073535 |work=BBC |location= |access-date=2023-10-11 |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011063945/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67073535 |url-status=live }}{{refn|group=note|name=DNA-note}}

Investigations

On 23 June, both the Canadian and the United States federal governments announced that they were beginning investigations of the incident.{{Cite web |last1=Armstrong |first1=Kathryn |last2=Amos |first2=Jonathan |date=23 June 2023 |title=Titanic sub search: What happens next |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65981742 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623223458/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-65981742 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=BBC News}}{{cite news |last1=Whittle |first1=Patrick |last2=McDermott |first2=Jennifer |last3=LeBlanc |first3=Steve |date=23 June 2023 |title=Canada is investigating why the Titanic-bound submersible imploded |work=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/article/missing-titanic-submersible-updates-e1a3c77003a5ab6bf32818d80877a712 |url-status=live |access-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626073143/https://apnews.com/article/missing-titanic-submersible-updates-e1a3c77003a5ab6bf32818d80877a712 |archive-date=26 June 2023}} They were joined by authorities from France (Bureau d'Enquêtes sur les Événements de Mer, BEAmer) and the United Kingdom (Marine Accident Investigation Branch, MAIB) by 25 June; the final report will be issued to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).{{cite news |last1=McDermott |first1=Jennifer |last2=Whittle |first2=Patrick |last3=Ramer |first3=Holly |date=25 June 2023 |title=After the Titan implosion, the US Coast Guard wants to improve the safety of submersibles |work=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/article/titan-submersible-investigation-91bde867ef100c769f1dbe293f2b3020 |url-status=live |access-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627021010/https://apnews.com/article/titan-submersible-investigation-91bde867ef100c769f1dbe293f2b3020 |archive-date=27 June 2023}} Whether lasting reforms will result from the investigation is uncertain. While there are variety of possible options, the IMO may not have appropriate regulatory authority.{{cite news |last=Finley |first=Ben |date=22 June 2023 |title=Tourist sub's implosion draws attention to murky regulations of deep-sea expeditions |work=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/article/titanic-sub-accident-laws-deep-sea-6d1e100f39a46091ae9895706adbcceb |url-status=live |access-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627162515/https://apnews.com/article/titanic-sub-accident-laws-deep-sea-6d1e100f39a46091ae9895706adbcceb |archive-date=27 June 2023}}

=United States=

The United States investigation is being directed by the Coast Guard (USCG) with support from the National Transportation Safety Board; the Coast Guard is taking control because it declared the incident a "major marine casualty".{{Cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Michael |date=23 June 2023 |title=Canada's transportation safety board is investigating Titan submersible and its Canadian support ship |work=Toronto Star |agency=The Canadian Press |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2023/06/23/us-navy-heard-possible-implosion-before-titan-submersible-was-reported-missing.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628154446/https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2023/06/23/us-navy-heard-possible-implosion-before-titan-submersible-was-reported-missing.html |archive-date=28 June 2023}} USCG Captain Jason Neubauer was named the chief investigator for a Marine Board of Investigation.{{cite press release |url=https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3438300/us-coast-guard-convenes-a-marine-board-of-investigation-into-loss-of-titan-subm/ |title=U.S. Coast Guard convenes a Marine Board of Investigation into loss of Titan Submersible |date=25 June 2023 |publisher=United States Coast Guard News |access-date=27 June 2023}} Though at first it was anticipated to be completed within one year, the USCG eventually acknowledged it would take longer. "The investigation into the implosion of the Titan submersible is a complex and ongoing effort", said Neubauer in June 2024. "We are working closely with our domestic and international partners to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the incident."{{cite web |title=U.S. Coast Guard provides Titan submersible MBI update |url=https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3807702/us-coast-guard-provides-titan-submersible-mbi-update/ |website=US Coast Guard |access-date=17 June 2024}}

The public hearings for the Marine Board of Investigation were held 16–27 September 2024 in Charleston, South Carolina. They were convened under the joint authority of the NTSB and the US Coast Guard.{{cite news |last1=Andone |first1=Dakin |title=Titan submersible sent its final message 6 seconds before contact was lost, investigators say at US Coast Guard hearing |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/16/us/titan-submersible-implosion-coast-guard-hearing/index.html |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=CNN US |agency=CNN |date=17 September 2024}} All of the testimony was livestreamed through YouTube.{{cite web |title=Titan Submersible Hearings |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgOje37c-b1NswzbM8kMEGRrdup_xwlW9 |website=Youtube |publisher=US Coast Guard |access-date=22 April 2025}} In addition to providing the recorded testimony, the US Coast Guard provided over 100 exhibits, photos, animations, and other supporting documents on the MBI website. Notable testimony was provided by: Tony Nissen (former Director of Engineering, OceanGate); David Lochridge (former Director of Marine Operations and whistleblower, OceanGate); Patrick Lahey (CEO, Triton Submarines); Roy Thomas (Sr. Principal Engineer, American Bureau of Shipping); Phil Brooks (former Director of Engineering, OceanGate); Don Kramer (NTSB Materials Laboratory); William Kohnen (Hydrospace Group); Bart Kemper (Kemper Engineering Services); Justin Jackson (NASA); and Mark Negley (Boeing). There were a total of 25 witnesses who gave testimony during the MBI{{cite web |title=MBI Witness List updated 9-22-2024 |url=https://media.defense.gov/2024/Sep/09/2003539914/-1/-1/0/WITNESS%20LIST-%20TITAN%20MARINE%20BOARD%20OF%20INVESTIGATION%20HEARING%20UPDATE%209-22-2024.PDF |website=United States Coast Guard News |publisher=USCG |access-date=22 April 2025}} and two more "mission specialists" interviewed after the MBI hearings.{{cite web |title=Post-hearing: Titan MBI interviews two mission specialists |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/video/947680/post-hearing-titan-mbi-interviews-two-mission-specialists |website=DVIDS |publisher=US DoD |access-date=22 April 2025}} Some of the key observations by the media include the repeated theme of putting cost above safety concerns; OceanGate's refusal to listen to safety concerns from staff such as David Lochridge or experts such as William Kohnen or Bart Kemper; and over 100 equipment issues over the two years prior to the final dive.{{cite news |last1=Ortiz |first1=Erik |title=Key revelations emerge in Coast Guard's Titan submersible hearing |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/key-revelations-emerge-coast-guards-titan-submersible-hearing-rcna172274 |access-date=22 April 2025 |agency=NBC}}

In videos of the wreckage released by the US Coast Guard, evidence of the hull delaminating is present, and has been verified through analysis conducted by the NTSB following the retrieval of the wreckage.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-19 |title=New Titan footage shows wreckage of destroyed hull on sea floor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cz6wj7p4235o |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web| title=Materials Investigation of the Experimental OceanGate Submersible Titan | url=https://media.defense.gov/2024/Sep/25/2003553505/-1/-1/0/CG-107%20NTSB%20TITAN%20MATERIAL%20ANALYSIS.PDF_REDACTED.PDF | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927110706/https://media.defense.gov/2024/Sep/25/2003553505/-1/-1/0/CG-107%20NTSB%20TITAN%20MATERIAL%20ANALYSIS.PDF_REDACTED.PDF | archive-date=2024-09-27}} The analysis also details a number of other issues with the manufacture of the submersible. In order to achieve the required thickness of the hull, wrinkles in the hull were machined away and another layer of carbon fibre was glued onto it. The adhesive used was discovered to vary in thickness, and even contained voids, and caused uneven levels of adhesion to separate layers. Evidence of rubbing damage was discovered, where the adhesive had turned into a powder by the forces of delamination. Additionally, porosity was discovered in the manufacture of the hull.

The analysis also contains details of the RTM system which OceanGate claimed would provide "early warning detection". On Dive 80, July 15, 2022, an extreme spike on one of the acoustic sensors was noted during the ascent to the surface. A loud bang was reported by the passengers during this dive, which Kramer determined was the cause for the spike.{{Cite web |title=NTSB engineer says Titan submersible's carbon-fiber hull showed 'anomalies' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/ntsb-engineer-titan-submersible-hull-anomalies/story?id=114076436 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=ABC News |language=en}} This coincided with anomalous strain readings, resulting in the next 3 dives following the spike containing a non-linear relationship between strain and depth, before settling back into a linear relationship.

Whilst the analysis provides insight into the manufacturing defects present in the hull, investigations remain ongoing.

=Canada=

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is investigating because Titan{{'s}} support vessel, MV Polar Prince, is a Canadian-flagged ship. A team of TSB investigators headed to the port of origin, St. John's, Newfoundland, to "gather information, conduct interviews and assess the occurrence", with other agencies also expected to be involved.{{cite web |date=23 June 2023 |title=23 June 2023 - Deployment notice - Transportation Safety Board of Canada |url=https://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/deploiement-deployment/marine/2023/m23a0169-20230623.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623231209/https://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/deploiement-deployment/marine/2023/m23a0169-20230623.html |archive-date=23 June 2023 |access-date=23 June 2023}} The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) also announced that it was performing a preliminary examination of the incident in order to determine whether to begin a full investigation, which will occur if the RCMP determine criminal, federal, or provincial laws were broken.{{Cite news |date=24 June 2023 |title=RCMP to investigate deaths aboard Titan sub, TSB reviewing logs |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/rcmp-to-investigate-deaths-aboard-titan-sub-tsb-reviewing-logs-1.6887770 |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624183731/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/rcmp-to-investigate-deaths-aboard-titan-sub-tsb-reviewing-logs-1.6887770 |archive-date=24 June 2023}}

Lawsuit

On 6 August 2024, Nargeolet's family sued OceanGate for wrongful death.{{Cite web |last=Picchi |first=Aimee |date=2024-08-07 |title=Family of French explorer who died in OceanGate's Titan submarine disaster sues for $50 million |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/titan-sub-titanic-oceangate-paul-henri-nargeolet-lawsuit/ |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808140517/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/titan-sub-titanic-oceangate-paul-henri-nargeolet-lawsuit/ |url-status=live }} The family of Nargeolet sought $50m in damages, claiming that OceanGate and Stockton Rush failed to disclose the condition and durability of the submersible as well as its composition and components. The lawsuit further alleges that many of the flaws with the vessel were not disclosed and purposely concealed.{{Cite web |last=FIRM |first=THE BUZBEE LAW |title=The Buzbee Law Firm and Schecter, Shaffer & Harris File the First Lawsuit Filed as a Result of the Titan Submersible Implosion |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-buzbee-law-firm-and-schecter-shaffer--harris-file-the-first-lawsuit-filed-as-a-result-of-the-titan-submersible-implosion-302215982.html |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}} The lawsuit states that "experts agree that the Titan’s crew would have realized exactly what was happening", in relation to the implosion.{{Cite web |title=Did Titan Passengers Know They Were About to Die? 1 Year Later, Questions Still Swirl About Their Final Moments |url=https://people.com/did-titan-passengers-know-they-were-about-to-die-mystery-remains-1-year-later-8694045 |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=People.com |language=en}}

The case was initially requested to move to a federal court in January 2025,{{Cite web |date=2024-08-26 |title=Defendant in Titan submersible wrongful death lawsuit files to move case to federal court |url=https://apnews.com/article/titanic-submersible-lawsuit-implosion-5c61d528032b6701cf38bfdaa55eafb4 |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=AP News |language=en}} but a federal judge moved it back to a state court by February.{{Cite web |title=Ortoli v. OceanGate Inc, 2:24-cv-01223 - CourtListener.com |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69033115/ortoli-v-oceangate-inc/ |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=CourtListener |language=en-us}} The lawsuit remains ongoing.

Financial costs of operations

Numerous assets from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard were deployed to search for the submersible, and to subsequently retrieve the victims' remains. On 23 June 2023, a Washington Post analysis made by Mark Cancian, a defence budget expert, estimated the costs of U.S. Coast Guard operations alone at about USD$1.2 million of taxpayers' money as of 23 June 2023, with the additional operations to recover the submersible's debris not included. Cancian said that while the Titan search operation was funded by money already in the federal budget, the U.S. military would assume some unexpected costs, since personnel and equipment were used in an unforeseen manner.{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Alex |date=23 June 2023 |title=What the Titan search could cost – and who will pay for it |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/06/23/titan-search-cost/ |access-date=3 July 2023}} Deploying a single Lockheed CP-140 Aurora aircraft and 341 sonobuoys cost Canadian taxpayers at least CAD$3 million, and the total Canadian contribution is likely to be much greater when all expenditures are tallied.{{cite web |title=It cost more than $2.4M for one RCAF plane to join Titanic sub search |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/it-cost-more-than-2-4m-for-one-rcaf-plane-to-join-titanic-sub-search-1.6470101 |website=CTV News |access-date=8 July 2023 |language=en |date=6 July 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708042051/https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/it-cost-more-than-2-4m-for-one-rcaf-plane-to-join-titanic-sub-search-1.6470101 |url-status=live }}{{update inline|date=October 2023}}

Chris Boyer of the National Association for Search and Rescue said the search for Titan likely cost millions of dollars of public funds; however, the USCG refused to give an estimate, saying they "do not associate cost with saving a life". According to U.S. attorney{{clarify|date=April 2024}} Stephen Koerting, the USCG is generally prohibited by federal law from collecting reimbursement related to any search or rescue service.

The incident renewed past debates about whether taxpayers should bear the cost of search and rescue missions involving wealthy people engaged in high-risk adventuring, such as incidents involving Steve Fossett and Richard Branson.{{Cite web |last=Geller |first=Adam |date=25 June 2023 |title=When wealthy adventurers take huge risks, who should pay for rescue attempts? |url=https://apnews.com/article/titanic-tourist-sub-passengers-cost-ee2a6358b36e48326b3977090fd9311b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625191131/https://apnews.com/article/titanic-tourist-sub-passengers-cost-ee2a6358b36e48326b3977090fd9311b |archive-date=25 June 2023 |access-date=26 June 2023 |language=en |work=Associated Press}}

Reactions

Discussing the scale of the search and rescue response, Sean Leet, co-founder and chair of Horizon Maritime Services, the company that owns Polar Prince, said:

{{Blockquote|I've been in the marine industry since a very young age and seen a lot of different situations, and I've never seen equipment of that nature move that quickly{{Nbsp}}[...] The response from the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Military, folks at the airport, the people here, various companies who were involved in the mobilization of that equipment{{Nbsp}}[...] it was done flawlessly.|Sean Leet, June 2023|title=CNN{{Cite news |date=21 June 2023 |title='We have to hold out hope,' Horizon Maritime Services representative says |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-21-23/h_066556f5b8f2dbb67d2dc69ff730364a |access-date=21 June 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628154408/https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-21-23/h_066556f5b8f2dbb67d2dc69ff730364a |url-status=live}}}}

The scale of the search and rescue efforts and media coverage compared to those for the Messenia migrant boat disaster, which occurred days earlier, sparked criticism.{{Cite news |last=Da Silva |first=Chantal |date=21 June 2023 |title=A tale of two disasters: Missing Titanic sub captivates the world days after deadly migrant shipwreck |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/syria-migrants-boat-sinking-titanic-submersive-missing-rcna90336 |url-status=live |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621230710/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/syria-migrants-boat-sinking-titanic-submersive-missing-rcna90336 |archive-date=21 June 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Butera |first1=Isabelle |date=22 June 2023 |title=As Titan sub stirs global interest, many draw attention to hundreds of migrants missing at sea |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/06/22/titan-sub-greece-migrant-boat-responses-disproportionate/70345837007/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622175312/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/06/22/titan-sub-greece-migrant-boat-responses-disproportionate/70345837007/ |archive-date=22 June 2023}} In the Ionian Sea off the coast of Pylos, Messenia, Greece, a fishing boat sank while carrying an estimated 400 to 750 migrants, resulting in nearly 100 persons confirmed dead,{{cite news |last1=Haq |first1=Sana Noor |last2=Labropoulou |first2=Elinda |date=16 June 2023 |title=Relatives searching for loved ones after Greek migrant boat disaster, as hundreds more feared dead |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/15/europe/migrant-boat-sinking-greece-cause-intl/ |access-date=17 June 2023 |archive-date=17 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617062119/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/15/europe/migrant-boat-sinking-greece-cause-intl/ |url-status=live}} another 100 rescued,{{cite news |date=15 June 2023 |title=Greece finds no more survivors of migrant boat disaster with hundreds missing |publisher=NBC News |agency=Associated Press |publication-place=Kalamata, Greece |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/greece-finds-no-survivors-migrant-boat-disaster-hundreds-missing-rcna89440 |url-status=live |access-date=15 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615100751/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/greece-finds-no-survivors-migrant-boat-disaster-hundreds-missing-rcna89440 |archive-date=15 June 2023}} and hundreds more missing and presumed dead.{{cite news |date=22 June 2023 |title=At least 209 Pakistanis among victims of Greece boat wreck |publisher=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/22/at-least-209-pakistanis-among-victims-of-greece-boat-wreck |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628154444/https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2023/6/22/at-least-209-pakistanis-among-victims-of-greece-boat-wreck |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Sam |last2=Smith |first2=Helena |date=21 June 2023 |title=At least 35 people feared dead after dinghy sinks en route to Canary Islands |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/21/deaths-dinghy-sinks-canary-islands-spain |access-date=28 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621143424/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/21/deaths-dinghy-sinks-canary-islands-spain |url-status=live}} Search and rescue efforts for the migrant ship were conducted by the Hellenic Coast Guard and military.{{Cite news |last1=Kitsantonis |first1=Niki |last2=Engelbrecht |first2=Cora |date=14 June 2023 |title=At Least 79 Die as Boat Carrying Migrants Sinks Near Greece |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/14/world/europe/greece-migrants-boat-sank.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=14 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614115108/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/14/world/europe/greece-migrants-boat-sank.html |archive-date=14 June 2023}} Ishaan Tharoor of The Washington Post wrote that Pakistani Internet users compared and contrasted the Pakistani victims in both incidents, who were on opposite sides of Pakistan's large socioeconomic divide.{{cite web |last=Tharoor |first=Ishaan |date=21 June 2023 |title=In missing submersible and migrant disaster, a tale of two Pakistans |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/21/titanic-submersible-greece-migrant-ship-pakistan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621151715/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/21/titanic-submersible-greece-migrant-ship-pakistan/ |archive-date=21 June 2023 |access-date=22 June 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} According to David Scott-Beddard, the CEO of White Star Memories Ltd, a Titanic exhibition company, the likelihood of performing future research at the Titanic wreck decreased due to the incident.{{Cite news |date=22 June 2023 |title=Future research at the Titanic wreck is unlikely after the Titan went missing, expert says |url=https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-22-23/h_e94f36d3bf556d59eb257a9eebcd2a5c |access-date=22 June 2023 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628154412/https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-22-23/h_e94f36d3bf556d59eb257a9eebcd2a5c |url-status=live}}

James Cameron, who directed the 1997 movie Titanic, visited the Titanic wreck 33 times, and piloted Deepsea Challenger to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, said he was "struck by the similarity" between the submersible's implosion and the events that resulted in the Titanic disaster. He noted that both disasters seemed preventable, and were caused indirectly by someone deliberately ignoring safety warnings from others.{{Cite web |last=Shapero |first=Julia |date=22 June 2023 |title=Director James Cameron 'struck' by similarities between Titan implosion, Titanic sinking |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/4063382-director-james-cameron-struck-by-similarities-between-titan-implosion-titanic-sinking/ |access-date=22 June 2023 |website=The Hill |archive-date=22 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622213031/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/4063382-director-james-cameron-struck-by-similarities-between-titan-implosion-titanic-sinking/ |url-status=live}} Cameron criticized the choice of carbon-fibre composite construction of the pressure vessel, saying it has "no strength in compression" when subject to the immense pressures at depth. Cameron said that pressure hulls should be made out of contiguous materials such as steel, titanium, ceramic, or acrylic, and that the wound carbon fibre of Titan{{'}}s hull had seemed like a bad idea to him from the beginning.{{cite web |title=James Cameron slams OceanGate safety, regrets not speaking up more |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/06/23/1183975136/james-cameron-titanic-titan-sub |website=NPR.org |date=23 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627163419/https://www.npr.org/2023/06/23/1183975136/james-cameron-titanic-titan-sub |url-status=live }} He stated that it was long known that composite hulls were vulnerable to microscopic water ingress, delamination, and progressive failure over time. He also criticized Rush's real-time monitoring of the hull as an inadequate solution that would do little to prevent an implosion. Cameron expressed regret for not being more outspoken about these concerns before the accident, and criticized what he termed "false hopes" being presented to the victims' families; he and his colleagues realized early on that for communication and tracking (the latter housed in a separate pressure vessel, with its own battery) to be lost simultaneously, the cause was almost certainly a catastrophic implosion.{{cite web |last1=Regan |first1=Helen |last2=Renton |first2=Adam |last3=Picheta |first3=Rob |last4=Sangal |first4=Aditi |last5=Hammond |first5=Elise |last6=Meyer |first6=Matt |last7=Powell |first7=Tori B. |last8=Chowdhury |first8=Maureen |title=Missing Titanic sub crew killed after 'catastrophic implosion' |url=https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-22-23/index.html |website=CNN.com |date=23 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627043448/https://www.cnn.com/americas/live-news/titanic-missing-sub-oceangate-06-22-23/index.html |url-status=live }}

The Logitech F710 game controller used to steer Titan sold out on Amazon soon after the incident, which was described as "a more benign form of disaster tourism" by the New York weblog the Cut.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Danielle |date=23 June 2023 |title=Missing Titan Submersible Passengers Believed Dead |url=https://www.thecut.com/article/missing-titanic-submersible-what-we-know.html |access-date=26 June 2023 |website=The Cut |language=en-us |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625214310/https://www.thecut.com/article/missing-titanic-submersible-what-we-know.html |url-status=live}}

In social and mass media

The submersible became widely discussed on social media as the story developed and was the subject of "public schadenfreude",{{Cite web |first=Jonny |last=Walfisz |date=25 June 2023 |title=Why the Titan submarine disappearance led to public schadenfreude |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/06/25/why-the-titan-submarine-disappearance-led-to-public-schadenfreude |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=euronews |language=en |archive-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627015542/https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/06/25/why-the-titan-submarine-disappearance-led-to-public-schadenfreude |url-status=live}} inspiring grimly humorous Internet memes, namely interactive video game recreations and image macros that ridiculed the submersible's deficient construction, OceanGate's perceived poor safety record, and the individuals who died.{{Cite web |first=Ethan |last=Gach |date=23 June 2023 |title=Grand Theft Auto V Immortalizes Lost Titanic Submarine With Fan Mod |url=https://kotaku.com/gta-5-online-mod-oceangate-titanic-titan-sub-mod-pc-1850570385 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624105453/https://kotaku.com/gta-5-online-mod-oceangate-titanic-titan-sub-mod-pc-1850570385 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} The memes were criticized as insensitive,{{Cite web |first=Tuhin Das |last=Mahapatra |date=24 June 2023 |title=Controversy erupts as Roblox community creates games inspired by tragic OceanGate submersible accident |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/controversy-erupts-as-roblox-community-creates-games-inspired-by-tragic-oceangate-submersible-accident-101687606351423.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627044330/https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/controversy-erupts-as-roblox-community-creates-games-inspired-by-tragic-oceangate-submersible-accident-101687606351423.html |archive-date=27 June 2023 |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} with David Pogue regarding such media as "inappropriate and a little bit sick". Some have felt the negative reaction to the victims may be a response to past news coverage of other expeditions by billionaires, often using their own companies such as Blue Origin.{{Cite web |last=Hamedy |first=Saba |date=22 June 2023 |title=Search for Titanic submersible unleashes 'eat the rich' sentiment online |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/titanic-submersible-memes-social-media-anti-billionaire-sentiment-rcna90520 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622233357/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/titanic-submersible-memes-social-media-anti-billionaire-sentiment-rcna90520 |archive-date=22 June 2023 |access-date=22 June 2023 |publisher=NBC News |language=en}} Molly Roberts wrote in The Washington Post that those joking about the incident were demonstrating Internet users' impulses to be ironic, provocative, and angry with each other, combined with an "eat-the-rich attitude".{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=Molly |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/23/titanic-submersible-implosion-internet-jokes/ |title=How social media turned the submersible tragedy into a punchline |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=23 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |quote=The crass jokes illustrate how the internet's gravity pulls us toward extremes. [...] At best, we're always looking for a chance to act ironic or provocative. At worst, we're looking for a chance to be angry with each other [...] Combine this impulse with the 'eat-the-rich attitude' so common among Gen Z and left-leaning Americans of all ages. The belief is that not only is every billionaire a policy failure, but also being a billionaire is a personal failure[.] |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624220415/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/23/titanic-submersible-implosion-internet-jokes/ |url-status=live}}

According to media psychology expert Pamela Rutledge, an American expert in social media and mass media, the Titan incident was widely treated on social media as entertainment. Major elements include the allure of disasters, fascination with the wealthy, conspiracy theories, uncertainty, and the mythology of the Titanic, as well as the romance of rescue operations. Rutledge opined that the trend displayed a lack of accountability and empathy. She asserted there is a need for individuals to rethink the way in which they use social media.{{cite web |last=Rutledge |first=Pamela |title=How Social Media Turned the Titan Tragedy into Entertainment |publisher=Fielding Graduate University |date=26 June 2023 |url=https://www.fielding.edu/how-social-media-turned-the-titan-tragedy-into-entertainment/ |access-date=27 June 2023 |archive-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627110147/https://www.fielding.edu/how-social-media-turned-the-titan-tragedy-into-entertainment/ |url-status=live}}

In September 2023, it was announced that a new movie about the Titan submersible incident, named Salvaged, was in development.{{Cite web |first=Emily |last=St. Martin |date=2023-09-29 |title=A new movie based on OceanGate's Titan submersible tragedy is in the works: 'Salvaged |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-09-29/oceangate-titan-submersible-tragedy-new-movie-salvaged |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en |archive-date=8 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008100232/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-09-29/oceangate-titan-submersible-tragedy-new-movie-salvaged |url-status=live }} The amount of media coverage and public attention for the Titan incident was criticized by people such as Barack Obama, the former U.S president, commenting that the contemporaneous 2023 Messenia migrant boat disaster had received much less attention.{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=Rachel |date=2023-06-23 |title=Obama calls out obsession with Titanic sub while migrant boat tragedy ignored |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/barack-obama-titanic-sub-migrant-boat-b2363161.html |access-date=2023-07-16 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705060210/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/barack-obama-titanic-sub-migrant-boat-b2363161.html |url-status=live }}

The 2024 American Broadcasting Company (ABC) special Truth and Lies: Fatal Dive to the Titanic examined the submersible implosion of the Titan.{{citation | last=Anderson | first=John | title='Fatal Dive to the Titanic: Truth and Lies' Review: Hubris on the High Seas | newspaper=WSJ | url=https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/fatal-dive-to-the-titanic-truth-and-lies-review-hubris-on-the-high-seas-abc-submersible-stockton-rush-22aacd93 | language=en-US | access-date=10 February 2024 | page= | archive-date=16 September 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916224235/https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television/fatal-dive-to-the-titanic-truth-and-lies-review-hubris-on-the-high-seas-abc-submersible-stockton-rush-22aacd93 | url-status=live }} In February 2024, a movie inspired by the events of the Titan submersible incident, titled Locker, was announced.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-14 |title=New Trailer: Locker |url=https://cinemaaustralia.com.au/2024/02/14/new-trailer-locker/ |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=Cinema Australia |language=en |archive-date=14 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214060418/https://cinemaaustralia.com.au/2024/02/14/new-trailer-locker/ |url-status=live }} In March 2024, a two-part documentary by ITN Productions, Minute by Minute: The Titan Sub Disaster, was broadcast by UK's Channel 5.{{cite web |title=Never-Before-Heard Audio From The Search And Rescue Mission To Save The Titan Sub |url=https://www.itn.co.uk/media-centre/neverbeforeheard-audio-search-and-rescue-mission-save-titan-sub |publisher=ITN Productions |access-date=24 March 2024 |archive-date=28 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828094004/https://www.itn.co.uk/media-centre/neverbeforeheard-audio-search-and-rescue-mission-save-titan-sub |url-status=live }} The documentary included interviews with the Canadian air crew that searched the surface, Edward Cassano of the Pelagic remotely-operated vehicle team that found the wreckage, and members of the Marine Technology Society William Kohnen and Bart Kemper. Kohnen and Kemper had warned OceanGate about their deviation from accepted engineering practices in 2018. Analysis of the mysterious "banging" sounds that seemed to indicate the occupants were still alive was a main feature of the first part.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Charlie |title=Titan Sub Disaster: Eerie banging noise 'changed search direction' giving desperate rescuers false hope |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/titan-sub-disaster-eerie-banging-32300538 |website=Mirror |date=7 March 2024 |access-date=24 March 2024 |archive-date=16 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916224216/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/titan-sub-disaster-eerie-banging-32300538 |url-status=live }}

In May 2025, the BBC aired Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster. It features exclusive access to the U.S. Coast Guard’s investigation, previously unseen footage, and expert interviews. The film includes a video recorded aboard the Titan’s support vessel that appears to capture the sound of the implosion, during which Wendy Rush, the wife of OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, is heard asking, “What was that bang?” The documentary questions OceanGate’s safety practices and whether the tragedy could have been prevented.{{Cite web |title=BBC Two - Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002ctw7 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}{{cite news |date=27 May 2025 |title=Titan sub disaster: New footage shows moment vessel imploded |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yg5qggvwjo |access-date=18 June 2025 |work=BBC News}}

On June 11, 2025, Netflix released the documentary Titan: The OceanGate Disaster. The documentary primarily examines a number of issues, such as Stockton Rush, OceanGate's manufacturing and operating practices prior to the Titan Implosion as well as the cause, response, and aftermath to the Titan implosion. The documentary includes interviews with former Oceangate employees, whistleblowers, and government officials.{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Adrian |date=2025-06-11 |title='Absolutely shocking': Netflix documentary examines how the Titan sub disaster happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jun/11/titan-sub-disaster-netflix-documentary |access-date=2025-06-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |last=Winkelman |first=Natalia |date=2025-06-11 |title='Titan: The OceanGate Disaster' Review: A Company's Failures |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/movies/titan-the-oceangate-disaster-review.html |access-date=2025-06-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Citation |last=Monroe |first=Mark |title=Titan: The OceanGate Disaster |date=2025-06-11 |type=Documentary |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35628853/ |access-date=2025-06-13 |others=Tony Nissen, Will Kohnen, Rob McCallum |publisher=Diamond Docs, Story Syndicate}}{{Cite web |date=2025-06-12 |title=Netflix Titan documentary shows moment OceanGate CEO fires experienced pilot |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/titan-oceangate-disaster-netflix-documentary-david-lochridge-b2768598.html |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

Notes

References

External links

{{Sister project links|d=Q119727363|c=Category:2023 Titan submersible incident|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}

[https://www.news.uscg.mil/News-by-Region/Headquarters/Titan-Submersible/ Titan Submersible Marine Board of Investigation] | U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation
[https://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/enquetes-investigations/marine/2023/m23a0169/m23a0169.html Marine transportation safety investigation M23A0169] | Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Category:June 2023

Category:Maritime incidents in 2023

Category:Maritime incidents involving engineering failures

Category:Submarine accidents

Category:Submarines lost with all hands

Category:Internet memes introduced in 2023

submersible, 2023 incident

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:Implosion

Category:2023 controversies