Past OceanGate associate declarates that the CEO suggested purchasing a congressional representative, should the Coast Guard impede the Titan exploration.
At the gathering, ex-Coast Guard Reserve member McCoy raised safety and administrative issues regarding the voyage, suggesting that they could skirt these issues by traveling through the Bahamas and launching from Canada, as per Rush's proposal.
McCoy described the meeting's conclusion when he shared his past experiences with the Coast Guard, notably their attempts to halt him in California, and their refusal to operate there further. He implied that if the Coast Guard posed any issues, he would simply purchase a congressman to eliminate the problem. This admission was made during the US Coast Guard Marine Board Investigation's final session.
JasonNeubauer, head of the Coast Guard's Marine Board investigation examining the Titan's collapse, inquired, "Is that a verbatim quote, Mr. McCoy?"
"He stated, 'I'd acquire a congressman,' and subsequently, the issues would vanish," McCoy confirmed. "This statement will forever resonate with me. I was deeply taken aback and subsequently left the company."
According to McCoy, Rush had a short temper, often becoming hostile when confronted with direct questions. He suggested that Rush's temperament might not have been suited for the task at hand.
During Friday's testimony, McCoy divulged that OceanGate neglected to arrange certification or registration for the Titan submersible.
In his testimony, McCoy expressed doubt about OceanGate having any professional engineers or a safety officer. He also shared that the organization had no formal process in place for investigating employee grievances or concerns.
Regrettably, Rush, alongside businessman Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood, lost their lives on the Titan.
The US Coast Guard Marine Board Investigation was the setting for McCoy's admission of wanting to buy a congressman to resolve potential issues.In the aftermath of his shocking statement, McCoy left the company, expressing his deep dismay.
