During a US Coast Guard body probing the implosion of the Titan submersible in June 2023, former director of marine exploration for OceanGate, David Lochridge, testified about safety concerns and company culture. Lochridge expressed that the company's focus was primarily on profit rather than safety and scientific integrity. He highlighted feeling like a 'show pony' due to being the only qualified pilot and raised red flags about the submersible's construction.
The Titan submersible's final message before losing contact during its dive to the Titanic has sparked speculation about crew awareness of potential issues. Lochridge's testimony shed light on OceanGate's operational shortcomings, including inexperienced staff and a rush to complete missions without proper safety measures.
