U.S. Coast Guard Releases Titan Submersible Discovery Footage

The U.S. Coast Guard has released crucial remotely operated vehicle (ROV) footage of the Titan submersible wreckage, which provided the conclusive evidence of the vessel’s catastrophic implosion during a commercial expedition to the wreck of the Titanic in June 2023.

The release comes as the Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) holds a hearing into the tragic incident that claimed the lives of all five people on board.

The footage, which shows debris including carbon fiber pieces, the submersible’s aft dome, and hull remnants on the seafloor, was captured on June 22, 2023, during the frantic search for the submersible after it lost contact with its expedition support vessel.

The footage will support technical testimony at the MBI hearing taking place this week and next in North Charleston, South Carolina.

“Our primary goal is to prevent a similar occurrence by examining closely what led to this tragedy and developing recommendations to enhance the safety of submersibles worldwide,” said Rear Admiral Wayne Arguin ahead of the hearing.

The investigation has faced delays due to the need for multiple salvage missions in the remote North Atlantic and extensive forensic testing. The Titan, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, imploded on June 18, 2023, during a commercial dive to the Titanic wreck site. The wreckage was discovered approximately 96 hours after its initial descent.

The two-week hearing will feature testimony from a diverse group of witnesses, including former OceanGate employees, mission specialists, and experts from organizations such as the University of Washington Applied Physics Lab, Triton Submarines, and the American Bureau of Shipping. Engineers and specialists from NASA, Boeing Co., and the National Transportation Safety Board will also contribute their expertise.