Following a tragic occurrence close to the Titanic wreckage site, OceanGate, a business that specializes in exploration and commercial operations, has announced the suspension of all of its operations.
Weeks ago, the company’s submersible, known as the Titan, suffered an implosion, resulting in the loss of all five individuals on board.
In a brief statement displayed prominently on its website, OceanGate declared, “OceanGate has suspended all exploration and commercial operations.”
The decision follows the retrieval of human remains from the Titan, which was en route to explore the remnants of the iconic luxury cruise liner that sank 111 years ago.
The submersible’s passengers included OceanGate’s CEO, Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, French diver Paul Henry Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman.
Each traveler had paid $250,000 for the opportunity to embark on this voyage.
Debris from the ill-fated Titan was discovered near the bow of the Titanic on the ocean floor.
The submersible’s wreckage was located using a remote-controlled vehicle, and it was then brought to the Canadian ship Horizon Arctic.
Although it remains unclear which parts of the Titan were salvaged, observers noted the presence of a sizeable piece connected to several large wires.
The tragic incident unfolded during a dive that commenced on June 18 from the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince.
Roughly an hour and 45 minutes into the mission, contact with the Titan was abruptly lost, triggering a frantic four-day search effort that captured global attention.
The cause of this devastating event remains under investigation.
Following the discovery of the remains, the parents of Shahzada Dawood released a statement requesting prayers for their departed loved ones.
Azmeh Dawood, Suleman’s aunt, recounted his apprehension about participating in the submersible dive, noting that he ultimately decided to join the trip to please his father, who had been fascinated by the Titanic since childhood. She described their deaths as an “unreal situation.”
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has initiated a safety investigation into the incident.
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Several previous passengers have come forward to share accounts of safety concerns, design flaws, and communication failures.
One former employee alleged that he was terminated after raising such issues. Brian Weed, a camera operator for the Discovery Channel’s “Expedition Unknown,” recounted malfunctions with the propulsion system during a test dive in May 2021, which left passengers feeling vulnerable.
Weed also expressed unease about the submarine’s door being bolted from the outside and declined an invitation to dive again the following week.
The investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada and the US National Transportation Safety Board will strive to identify all causal and contributing factors behind the tragedy without assigning blame or civil or criminal liability.
Their findings will likely include safety recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As OceanGate halts its operations in the aftermath of this tragic event, the exploration and commercial maritime industry faces renewed scrutiny regarding safety standards and protocols.