U.S. Coast Guard Set to Hold Hearing into Titan Submersible Loss

The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that the Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) hearing into the Titan submersible tragedy will commence on Monday, September 16, 2024, at the Charleston County Council Building.

The two-week hearing aims to uncover facts surrounding the incident and develop recommendations to prevent future tragedies.

The investigation, which has taken longer than the initially expected one-year timeframe, has faced delays due to the need for two salvage missions in the remote North Atlantic and extensive forensic testing.

The Titan, operated by OceanGate Expeditions, suffered a catastrophic implosion on June 18, 2023, during a commercial dive to the Titanic wreck site, resulting in the loss of five lives, including the company’s founder and CEO. The submersible’s wreckage was discovered on the seafloor near the Titanic approximately 96 hours after its initial descent.

The witness list for the Titan Marine Board of Investigation Hearing includes a diverse array of individuals with connections to the incident. Former OceanGate employees, including engineering directors, operations directors, and administrative staff, are set to testify. Mission specialists and contractors who worked with OceanGate will also provide their insights.

The hearing will also feature expert testimony from representatives of relevant organizations such as the University of Washington Applied Physics Lab, Triton Submarines, and the American Bureau of Shipping. Additionally, engineers and specialists from various institutions, including NASA, Boeing Co., and the National Transportation Safety Board, will contribute their expertise.

In addition to the Coast Guard’s investigation, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are conducting their own safety investigations into the incident.

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