Today, the US Coast Guard is set to initiate a public discussion regarding the explosion of the Titan submersible.
The marine investigation panel, known as the Marine Board of Inquiry (MBI), was assembled swiftly following the disappearance of the submersible. This elite-level investigation team, led by the Coast Guard, was appointed to scrutinize the incident's cause and offer suggestions, including possible civil penalties and criminal charges.
Over the past 15 months, our investigation team has collaborated closely with various federal agencies, international partners, and industry experts to uncover the truth behind this incident, as stated by Jason Neubauer, the chair of the MBI, during a press conference on Sunday.
The forthcoming hearings will serve as a platform to disclose our findings and hear from key witnesses and experts in a transparent setting, said Neubauer, adding that these proceedings are crucial in understanding the incident's underlying factors and the necessary actions to prevent a recurrence.
The submersible lost contact with its mother ship approximately an hour and 45 minutes into its dive to the Titanic on June 18, 2023. Upon failing to resurface, a far-reaching international search and rescue operation was initiated in the remote waters around 600 miles southeast of Newfoundland, Canada.
Eventually, authorities concluded that the vessel succumbed to a sudden internal collapse due to extreme pressure, causing what they termed a "catastrophic implosion." Remnants of the submersible and presumed human remains assumed to be of the victims were discovered on the ocean floor several hundred yards from the Titanic.
Among the deceased were Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of the vessel's operator, along with businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood; businessman Hamish Harding; and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
As part of the hearing, topics such as pre-accident historical events, compliance with regulations, crew member duties and qualifications, mechanical and structural systems, emergency response, and the submersible industry will be discussed.
The MBI's list of witnesses includes former employees of OceanGate Expeditions, the Everett, Washington-based company responsible for operating the 23,000-pound vessel, which sold tickets for around $250,000 each. The company has been under scrutiny due to safety concerns reported in the media.
The MBI comprises numerous Coast Guard officials and at least two from the National Transportation Safety Board, according to the Coast Guard's revealed list. Anticipated witnesses also include regulatory officials, search and rescue experts, deep sea exploration specialists, and engineers from NASA and Boeing.
Neubauer emphasized that the primary goal of the hearing is to "uncover the truth behind the incident," but they are also responsible for identifying misconduct or negligence by licensed mariners. He added that if a criminal act is detected, the relevant information would be forwarded to the Department of Justice.
The Marine Board of Investigation is the highest level of Coast Guard inquiry, explained Neubauer, stating that approximately one MBI hearing is held annually. He further mentioned that only a tiny fraction of the thousands of investigations conducted each year rise to this level.
The hearing is scheduled to take place in North Charleston, South Carolina, and is expected to last nine days between Monday and Friday, September 27. The proceedings will be live-streamed on the Coast Guard's YouTube channel.
Once the investigation is concluded, the US Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board will each conduct separate analyses and publish reports, Neubauer confirmed during the Sunday press conference. He cautioned that subsequent hearings may be required and did not provide an estimated timeline for wrapping up the investigation.
The investigation team, which includes us, has been working closely with various agencies to uncover the truth about the incident. During the hearing, we will discuss various topics related to the submersible and the incident, which will be live-streamed on the Coast Guard's YouTube channel.
