Latest news with #ReportofInvestigation
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Titan disaster 'was preventable', says US Coast Guard
An investigation was held into the implosion of the OceanGate-operated vessel, which took place whilst it was en route to the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean on June 18, 2023. On Tuesday, August 5, the US Coast Guard published its findings in a 300-page document, which stated that the deaths of all five people onboard the submersible 'were preventable'. (Image: OceanGate Expeditions/PA) Among the passengers was Suleman Dawood, a 19-year-old Strathclyde University student, and his father, Shahzada. The implosion also killed Titan's operator and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, veteran Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and British adventurer Hamish Harding. Jason Neubaeur, Titan Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) chair, spoke out on Tuesday about the findings following a two-year investigation into the fatal incident. READ NEXT: Tributes for 'one of a kind chef' after unexpected death He said: 'This marine casualty and the loss of five lives was preventable. The two-year investigation has identified multiple contributing factors that led to this tragedy, providing valuable lessons learned to prevent a future occurrence. 'There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework. 'I am optimistic the Report of Investigation's findings and recommendations will help improve awareness of the risks and the importance of proper oversight while still providing a pathway for innovation.' The US Coast Guard's MBI determined the primary contributing factors were OceanGate's 'inadequate' design, certification, maintenance, and inspection process for the Titan. Other factors cited in the report include a 'toxic workplace culture' at the company, an 'inadequate' domestic and international regulatory framework for submersible operations and vessels of novel design, and an 'ineffective' whistleblower process under the Seaman's Protection Act. READ NEXT: Glasgow locals 'devastated' as Speirs Wharf canal barge sunk The US Coast Guard went on to say it found that OceanGate failed to properly investigate and address 'known hull anomalies' following its 2022 Titanic expedition. Investigators determined that the Titan's real-time monitoring system generated data that should have been analysed and acted on during this expedition. However, OceanGate is said not to have taken any action related to the data, conducted any preventative maintenance, or properly stored the Titan during the extended off-season before its 2023 Titanic expedition. The report made various recommendations, including expanding federal and international requirements to all submersibles conducting scientific or commercial dives and requiring Coast Guard documentation for all US submersibles. The Marine Board's report is now under review by the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Once this process is completed, the Commandant will issue a final action memorandum confirming the US Coast Guard's position on the recommendations and any actions to be pursued. To view the US Coast Guard's MBI report, visit HERE.
The National
4 days ago
- General
- The National
Titan submersible disaster 'was preventable', says US Coast Guard
An investigation was held into the implosion of the OceanGate-operated vessel, which took place whilst it was en route to the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean on June 18, 2023. On Tuesday, August 5, the US Coast Guard published its findings in a 300-page document, which stated that the deaths of all five people onboard the submersible 'were preventable'. (Image: OceanGate Expeditions/PA) Among the passengers was Suleman Dawood, a 19-year-old Strathclyde University student, and his father, Shahzada. READ MORE: Home Secretary 'made false allegations against Palestine Action' The implosion also killed Titan's operator and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, veteran Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and British adventurer Hamish Harding. Jason Neubaeur, Titan Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) chair, spoke out on Tuesday about the findings following a two-year investigation into the fatal incident. He said: 'This marine casualty and the loss of five lives was preventable. The two-year investigation has identified multiple contributing factors that led to this tragedy, providing valuable lessons learned to prevent a future occurrence. 'There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework. 'I am optimistic the Report of Investigation's findings and recommendations will help improve awareness of the risks and the importance of proper oversight while still providing a pathway for innovation.' The US Coast Guard's MBI determined the primary contributing factors were OceanGate's 'inadequate' design, certification, maintenance, and inspection process for the Titan. Other factors cited in the report include a "toxic workplace culture" at the company, an "inadequat"' domestic and international regulatory framework for submersible operations and vessels of novel design, and an '"neffective" whistleblower process under the Seaman's Protection Act. The US Coast Guard went on to say it found that OceanGate failed to properly investigate and address "known hull anomalies" following its 2022 Titanic expedition. Investigators determined that the Titan's real-time monitoring system generated data that should have been analysed and acted on during this expedition. READ MORE: This is what a nuclear attack on Scotland would look like However, OceanGate is said not to have taken any action related to the data, conducted any preventative maintenance, or properly stored the Titan during the extended off-season before its 2023 Titanic expedition. The report made various recommendations, including expanding federal and international requirements to all submersibles conducting scientific or commercial dives and requiring Coast Guard documentation for all US submersibles. The Marine Board's report is now under review by the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Once this process is completed, the Commandant will issue a final action memorandum confirming the US Coast Guard's position on the recommendations and any actions to be pursued.
