Titan tour operator ‘leveraged intimidation tactics' to evade scrutiny
The chief executive of tour operator OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush, and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet, were also killed in the incident.
On Tuesday, the US Coast Guard published a 335-page report in which identified eight 'primary causal factors' that led to the fatal implosion.
The report said OceanGate had a 'toxic workplace environment' and used the 'looming threat of being fired' to prevent staff from coming forward with safety concerns.
It added that analysis revealed a 'disturbing pattern of misrepresentation and reckless disregard for safety'.
The report criticised OceanGate's design and testing processes and the continued use of the Titan submersible despite 'a series of incidents that compromised the integrity of the hull and other critical components'.
The tour operator's former director of engineering was reported by the US Coast Guard to have said the first hull used on the Titan submersible was akin to a 'high school project'.
According to the report, a contractor hired by OceanGate in 2022 voiced 'numerous safety concerns' to a company director, before being told: 'You have a bad attitude, you don't have an explorer mindset, you know, we're innovative and we're cowboys, and a lot of people can't handle that.'
Authored by lead investigator Thomas Whalen and marine board chairman Jason Neubauer, it read: 'For several years preceding the incident, OceanGate leveraged intimidation tactics, allowances for scientific operations, and the company's favourable reputation to evade regulatory scrutiny.
'By strategically creating and exploiting regulatory confusion and oversight challenges, OceanGate was ultimately able to operate Titan completely outside of the established deep-sea protocols, which had historically contributed to a strong safety record for commercial submersibles.
'The lack of both third-party oversight and experienced OceanGate employees on staff during their 2023 Titan operations allowed OceanGate's chief executive officer to completely ignore vital inspections, data analyses, and preventative maintenance procedures, culminating in a catastrophic event.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brit, 54, has legs amputated in Thailand after 'hit and run' leaves him needing 24/7 care
WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: An alleged it and run in Thailand left a British man requiring surgery to amputate both of his legs. Willie Braid is still recovering in a Bangkok hospital A British expat lost both of his legs in an alleged hit and run in Thailand. Willie Braid, 54, was involved in a crash with a lorry while he was riding a motorbike in the capita l of Bangkok on July 27. The Scottish man was then rushed to hospital with life-changing injuries and the driver of the lorry is alleged to have fled the scene. Following the crash and the injuries Willie sustained, he suffered kidney failure and was placed in an induced coma. Both of his legs had to be amputated below the knee and he still requires round the clock care in hospital. It comes after a schoolboy, 13, has both legs amputated after 'getting cramp' at sports camp. READ MORE: NATO scrambles warplanes as Russia shoots down West's F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine onslaught His sister June, who flew out to Thailand after she was informed of the crash, said Willie has come out of the coma but 'doesn't know where he is or what's happened'. She explained he 'recognises us, but he's very confused'. She told the Daily Record: "He's come out of the coma but he doesn't know where he is or what's happened. He recognises us, but he's very confused. We've got a psychiatrist working with him but he has no comprehension of his injuries or his amputations, he's delirious. "That could be caused by trauma or an infection. Thankfully, he is receiving exceptional care from the medics here, who are doing everything they can to get him better." Willie, who has lived in Thailand for five years, is also receiving kidney dialysis following the crash. It is expected that he could remain in hospital for at least three months. June continued: "I'm not sure how long I'll stay out here for. Right now, I'm taking everything day by day. Willie will have to stay in the trauma unit for the foreseeable future before he can be moved into rehabilitation. As it stands, he cannot fly, but thankfully he's in the best hands possible." Willie will require lifetime support once he is discharged from hospital and will need to move into supported accommodation. June has now launched a fundraiser to help pay for his rehabilitation and medical bills. She continued: "Willie's road to recovery will be long and challenging. He will require 24/7 care in Bangkok, as he is unable to travel until his wounds heal. "Once he is stable, he will undergo rehabilitation and be fitted for prosthetic legs, which will help him regain his independence. With that said, we're seeking support during this difficult time." Nearly £5,000 has been raised since the fundraiser was launched earlier this month. Meanwhile, June and her family are receiving support from the British Embassy in Thailand to trace those responsible for the alleged hit and run and bring them to justice. He added: "Right now, we're receiving support from the embassy to find a lawyer who will take our case up with the police. Until then, we will be fundraising to get Willie better."
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Man faces deportation after 'lighting cigarette' on Tomb of Unknown Soldier
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A Moroccan national who lit his cigarette with the flame of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will be deported from Paris. Footage circulating on social media shows the 47-year-old climbing over the chain barrier beneath the Arc de Triomphe and lighting a smoke. The incident happened on Tuesday morning, sending shockwaves across France. Bruno Retailleau, France's interior minister, said on X: 'This unworthy and deplorable act undermines the memory of those who died for France.' Meanwhile, Patricia Miralles, the French minister for war veterans, said what happened is 'not a mere misstep, but a desecration'. She stressed: 'France will never tolerate the tarnishing of the memory of those who died for her. Never.' It was later revealed that the suspect – a homeless man from Morocco only identified as HamdiH. – will have his residence permit revoked, Le Figaro reported, citing a source close to the case. He initially denied responsibility, before later admitting that he is the man in the video. L'homme qui a profané la tombe du Soldat inconnu en allumant une cigarette avec la flamme du souvenir a été interpellé à Paris pour violation de sépulture, tombeau, urne ou monument édifié à la mémoire des morts. Il a été placé en garde à vue et a reconnu les faits. À la suite du… — Bruno Retailleau (@BrunoRetailleau) August 5, 2025 Police have accused him of 'violating a burial site, tomb, cinerary urn, or monument erected in memory of the dead,' an offense that theoretically carries a one-year prison sentence and a €15,000 fine. More Trending Local media reported that the man is well known to the police and has 21 records in the criminal record processing file (TAJ), including car theft, vandalism, violence and public insults on grounds of race. A woman, who claimed to be the author of the video, said the man did not 'appear drunk or under the influence of drugs.' She added: 'On the contrary, he was clearly aware of what he was doing, and proud of having done it.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Five soldiers shot at US Army base MORE: Famous actress sexually assaulted by masseur in central London parlour MORE: Man who murdered dog walker while he was on the run jailed for 25 years
Glasgow Times
3 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Concerns grow for missing woman with links to Glasgow
Pauline Burke was last seen at around 3.50pm on Tuesday, August 5, at the Galashiels Transport Interchange in the Scottish Borders. Police say the 52-year-old, from Hawick, has connections to the Summerston area of North Glasgow. Pauline is described as around 5ft 2ins, of medium build, with short, greying hair. When she was last seen, she was wearing black trousers, a black body warmer and black Nike trainers. She also has reading glasses. READ NEXT: Titan disaster which killed Glasgow student 'was preventable', says US Coast Guard Inspector Colin Deans said: 'Concerns are growing for Pauline's welfare, and we need to make sure she is safe and well. 'Enquiries so far suggest she took a bus from Hawick to Galashiels. She may then have taken a train to Edinburgh, and she also has connections in the Summerston area of Glasgow. 'We are asking anyone who has seen Pauline or knows where she might be to get in touch.' Anyone with any information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3292 of Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
