Titan Submersible Catastrophe Determined as Preventable by Coast Guard, Inspiring Deep-Sea Industry to Focus on Future Advancements
The US Coast Guard's Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) has released a report following the 2023 implosion of the Titan submersible, which claimed the lives of five people, including its founder and CEO, Stockton Rush. The report identifies multiple contributing factors and offers a series of actionable recommendations to prevent future occurrences.
The MBI found that the primary contributing factors to the Titan's implosion were OceanGate's inadequate design, certification, maintenance, and inspection process. In response, the MBI is urging the Coast Guard to pursue a new regulation requiring all submersibles in the US to be built and maintained under uniform standards.
Key recommendations include:
- Requiring coast-guard standards or equivalent certification for submersibles carrying passengers that are built, owned, or operated by U.S. entities or that operate in U.S. waters.
- Revoking Oceanographic Research Vessel (ORV) designations for existing submersibles until they are certified under federal passenger vessel inspection requirements.
- Pursuing formal regulatory oversight of manned submersibles, both domestically and internationally, including creating rules for design, construction, maintenance, certification, and inspection of vessels of novel design.
- Mandating pre-operation notifications to the Coast Guard, including a dive plan and an emergency response plan.
- Dedicating Coast Guard resources to provide field support and technical assistance for vessels of novel design.
- Improving interactions and information-sharing among organizations and groups in the submersible industry.
- Establishing a third-party certification system for the safety of submersibles and their teams.
The report also highlights the need for proper certification and meaningful material/structural testing and inspections, rather than relying on proprietary monitoring systems.
William Kohnen, a witness in last year's hearings on the Titan submersible and the president and CEO of HYRDOSPACE Group Inc, believes these issues are part of an ongoing conversation in the industry. He advocates for better regulations, comparing the need for comprehensive regulation to the creation of freeways and the drawing of lines in the road.
Kohnen also emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in regulations, suggesting that the industry's annual conference should be hosted in an international location. He thinks a five-minute conversation with a colleague could potentially save lives by avoiding big issues.
The report also sheds light on a "toxic workplace culture" at OceanGate, instigated by Rush and his management style. Kohnen believes that another important step is making sure different facets of the industry and maritime authorities are connected and build relationships with each other.
The 300-page report details the steps that led to the Titan's implosion and offers a comprehensive roadmap for improving safety in the submersible industry. The MBI's recommendations, if implemented, could significantly enhance the safety of submersible operations in the US and beyond.
- With the publication of the MBI report, the role of science, technology, and proper certification in ensuring the safety of submersibles and preventing the recurrence of medical-conditions like the Titan's implosion has come to the forefront.
- In light of the Titan incident, William Kohnen, an industry leader, has advocated for an international approach to regulations, emphasizing the need for unity and collaboration among different facets of the submersible industry, as well as maritime authorities, to promote safety and potentially save lives.
