Canada’s Transportation Safety Board has highlighted the lack of effective oversight by the federal government over OceanGate’s Titan submersible, despite its interactions with various federal agencies. The board has issued six recommendations to address regulatory shortcomings and bolster safety in the submersible sector. This report was issued just prior to the three-year anniversary of Titan’s last voyage.
According to Yoan Marier, the TSB chair, critical information about the Titan was scattered across multiple federal entities, with no coordination to connect the dots. This led to the Titan operating in Canada without proper regulatory supervision.
The investigation revealed that OceanGate engaged with officials from nine federal agencies, but crucial details were not relayed to Transport Canada, which could have improved the understanding of operational risks. Tragically, during the final voyage, five individuals, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, lost their lives due to the submersible’s carbon fibre hull collapsing en route to the Titanic wreckage.
The TSB report mirrored findings from the U.S. Coast Guard’s investigation, highlighting design flaws in the submersible’s cylindrical carbon fibre hull that compromised its ability to withstand deep-sea pressures. The report emphasized that these issues were specific to OceanGate and not indicative of broader problems in the submersible industry.
Additionally, the report underscored a company culture at OceanGate where innovation took precedence over safety, leading to incidents and employee departures after safety concerns were raised. The CEO’s intense focus on innovation was noted as potentially compromising safety measures within the company.
The report also mentioned instances where safety concerns were raised but went unaddressed, shedding light on the need for enhanced oversight and communication within the submersible industry.