The scientific director, previously in charge, reported that the Titan submersible encountered issues prior to its fatal dive several days ago.
In 2023, marine scientist and Dive 87 crew member Steven Ross testified at a hearing regarding the Titan's fourth mission catastrophe. He stated that a platform malfunction, triggered by a variable ballast tank issue, forced everyone aboard the submersible to crash into the aft section for at least an hour.
Upon ascending, another platform malfunction happened due to the variable ballast tank's problem, causing the platform to tilt to 45 degrees with the rear end pointing up.
This dive, led by Stockton Rush, the CEO of the vessel operator, occurred on June 12, approximately 460 miles from the Titanic site.
"The pilot hit the rear bulkhead, the passengers scrambled around, I ended up on the rear bulkhead, one passenger was hanging upside down, the other two managed to squeeze into the bow endcap," Ross described, emphasizing that no one was harmed.
Rush had warned about a variable ballast tank valve problem, mentioned Ross. Due to the lengthy fix required for the platform malfunction, the dive was terminated, and they returned to the surface to sort the issue out.
"It was annoying and awkward, and it took a long time to rectify the issue," Ross said, questioning whether a post-dive hull inspection had been carried out by the crew.
He recalled that the Titan submersible had not undergone a Coast Guard inspection in 2021, 2022, or 2023.
Ross also brought up two incidents during the 2022 Titanic expedition dives, such as a loud bang heard during Dive 80's resurfacing.
"There was a discussion among the team about the bang, involving crew members, mission specialists, and scientists. The likely theory was that the pressure hull had shifted in its metal cradle, which, upon readjustment, could have caused that loud noise," Ross explained.
In Dive 81, Ross reported a thruster malfunction. Pilot Scott Griffith found that one of the thruster's control switches were reversed when they were at the bottom, forcing Griffith to manage the thrusters with the switches in reverse position.
Before Dive 87 for the 2023 Titanic expedition, Ross was informed that the submersible had encountered an obstruction while being towed at night. It was assumed to be abandoned fishing gear, but no conclusive evidence was provided, and the extent of the damage remained unknown.
During the hearing, Ross mentioned that the entire team, including us, experienced the forced impact due to the platform malfunction. After the dive, Ross questioned if a post-dive hull inspection had been conducted by the crew, implying that regular inspections involve the whole team.
