OceanGate suspended all of its commercial and exploration operations following the Titan submersible tragedy last month.
The implosion reportedly happened less than two hours into the Titanic wreckage expedition and killed five people. Amongst the deceased was the company’s CEO, Stockton Rush. OceanGate announced the move on its website Thursday (July 6).
OceanGate Operations Could Remain Sidelined For A While Amidst Ongoing Titan Investigations
According to ABC News, the news comes amidst an ongoing investigation conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board.
The Marine Board of Investigation will also conduct “further analysis and testing” of evidence gathered from the Titan wreckage.
“There is still a substantial amount of work to be done to understand the factors that led to the catastrophic loss of the TITAN and help ensure a similar tragedy does not occur again,” Marine Board of Investigation Chair Capt. Jason Neubauer said in a June 28 statement.
Meanwhile, OceanGate could be sidelined for quite some time.
Former National Transportation Safety Board investigator Tom Haueter told the outlet that the investigation could take “months” to determine the cause of the deadly implosion.
Two expeditions had been scheduled for 2024, per Live Mint. However, it remains unclear whether those trips will be rescheduled for a later date.
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OceanGate Scrutinized For Cheap Carbon Fiber Construction, $30 Video Game Submersible Controller
OceanGate provides commercial and research operations. The Everett, Washington-based company also allows tourists to explore deep-sea environments and sunken boat wrecks for a fee.
The company has since been scrutinized for what critics call cheap carbon fiber construction and wonky design. Rush previously bragged about controlling the submersible, which weighs 20,000 pounds above water, with a $30 video game controller, as previously reported by The Shade Room.
Rush defended the use of carbon fiber, claiming the material would have a better strength-to-buoyancy ratio when compared to titanium. Carbon fiber has less than half the density of titanium and isn’t nearly as strong, per Where The Road Forks.
OceanGate has completed more than 14 expeditions and over 200 dives since it was founded in 2009, according to its website.
“OceanGate has suspended all exploration and commercial operations.”
Notice is now on the top of their website. pic.twitter.com/dfFG1pgwqL— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) July 6, 2023
A Brief Timeline Of The Events Leading To Titan Submersible Implosion
Last month, The Shade Room reported the Titan submersible went missing on June 18 while carrying Rush and four others.
It lost contact with its mothership shortly after descending during a deep-sea voyage to explore the wreck of the RMS Titanic.
Renowned world explorer Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, father and son, Shahzada and Sulaiman Dawood were the remaining Titan victims.
International maritime agencies eventually located the submersible wreckage on the ocean floor. It was discovered on June 22, about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard reported discovering “presumed human remains” last week.
This is a developing story. Be sure to check back in with The Shade Room for more updates as they come.
