An official report reveals the causes of the Titan submersible's implosion

An official report of over 300 pages released by the United States Coast Guard revealed multiple structural, technical, and human failures that led to the catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible, operated by the company OceanGate, during its expedition to the wreckage of the Titanic in 2023.

"This maritime accident and the loss of five human lives could have been avoided," stated Jason Neubauer, chair of Titan MBI. "The investigation, which has lasted two years, has identified multiple factors that contributed to this tragedy, providing valuable lessons learned to prevent it from happening again in the future."

Among the most serious findings, the report highlights that OceanGate used “terribly inadequate” operation manuals, many of which were incomplete or contained functions labeled as “to be determined.”

One of the 155-page manuals, focused on high-risk operations, dedicated only four pages to operations at extreme depths.

The investigation also revealed that the founder and CEO of OceanGate, Stockton Rush, dismissed internal safety recommendations. In 2018, he fired the operations director following an inspection that raised safety concerns about the submersible.

Rush rejected conservative criteria and consolidated operational and technical control over the project, assuming roles as director, security chief, and pilot, which eliminated essential internal controls.

Regarding communication, the report criticized the use of a text messaging system instead of voice communications, which delayed the identification of the tragedy.

As the Titan approached the ocean floor, it followed standard procedures for releasing ballast weights to slow its descent. At a depth of 3,341 meters, it sent a message to the Polar Prince reporting that "two weights had been released."

Six seconds later, at a depth of 3,346.28 meters, it sent an automatic transmission that recorded its final location at 41° 44.06' north; 49° 56.54' west and then suffered a catastrophic implosion, resulting in the immediate death of all people on board.

Two seconds later, the communications and tracking team heard a "thunderous noise" coming from the surface of the ocean, which the investigation later linked to the implosion of the Titan. From that moment on, all communications were lost.

Another central point was the lack of certification for the submersible. Although the process was voluntary, almost all operators in the industry choose to obtain it. Rush decided to forgo certification, arguing that it "stifled innovation," a decision that was widely criticized by experts following the accident.

The real-time monitoring system (RTM), which was supposed to alert about dangerous conditions on the ship, also failed.

Three of the eight sensors probably did not function, and there was no audible alarm. The report indicates that a dive was never aborted due to system warnings, reflecting a corporate culture focused on meeting the expectations of VIP clients, even at the expense of safety.

Additionally, OceanGate was facing serious financial problems. Since 2022, Rush had been using personal funds to keep the company afloat, and in 2023, he asked employees to work without pay with promises of future compensation.

The report concludes that the Titan tragedy was the result of a chain of reckless decisions, driven by economic pressures, lack of oversight, and a corporate culture that prioritized ambition over safety.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Implosion of the Titan Submersible by OceanGate