The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that a public hearing regarding the tragic implosion of the experimental Titan submersible will take place in September. The incident, which resulted in the loss of all five individuals on board, occurred in June 2023 while the submersible was en route to the Titanic wreck.
The Coast Guard initiated a thorough investigation into the implosion, citing the need for a comprehensive review of the events leading up to the disaster. The upcoming formal hearing, set to commence in mid-September in North Charleston, South Carolina, will play a crucial role in the Marine Board of Investigation's inquiry into the incident.
According to Coast Guard officials, the hearing aims to examine various aspects related to the loss of the Titan submersible, including historical events preceding the accident, regulatory compliance, crew qualifications, mechanical systems, emergency response protocols, and industry standards.
The hearing is scheduled to span nearly two weeks, starting on September 16 and concluding on either September 26 or 27. Upon completion of the investigation, the marine board is expected to release a detailed report containing evidence, conclusions, and recommendations.
The tragic event claimed the lives of Titan operator Stockton Rush, renowned Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, members of a Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, as well as British adventurer Hamish Harding. Following the incident, OceanGate, the company co-founded by Rush and the owner of the submersible, halted its operations.
The Titan's final dive on June 18, 2023, ended in tragedy when it lost contact with its support vessel. Search and rescue efforts were promptly launched in the vicinity of the Titanic wreck site, leading to the discovery of the Titan wreckage approximately 300 meters from the bow of the Titanic.
