Latest news with #Shahzada
5 days ago
Voices call for justice, change after release of Titan implosion report
Family, friends, investigators and explorers say they're appalled and heartbroken, and are calling for accountability and justice after the United States Coast Guard released its final report on the implosion of the Titan submersible on Tuesday. The coast guard's Marine Board of Investigation report landed two years after OceanGate's Titan imploded while diving to the site of the Titanic wreck, killing all five people on board. The 335-page document outlines many problems with the company's operation, the integrity of the vessel and what led to the fatal incident in 2023. Hamish Harding, father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henri Nargeolet and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush were the crew members. The company suspended operations in July 2023. OceanGate spokesperson Christian Hammond told the Associated Press the company has been winding down, and was co-operating with the investigation. 'Not shocked' Harding was the chairman of Action Aviation. The company expressed its outrage over what the report revealed. We are obviously appalled by the contents of the investigation report, but not shocked, Mark Butler, CEO of Action Aviation, said in a statement to CBC News. It was very evident from the early stages of the investigation, now confirmed by the published report, that Mr. Rush had been trying to run his company on a shoestring, cutting corners, and paying little attention to basic safety and best practices. Butler took over for Harding after his death. He called Rush and his company's actions selfish and senseless. Butler said Harding's family have no plans to comment at this time. WATCH | U.S. Coast Guard releases damning report on Titan implosion: The family of Shahzada and Suleman Dawood also weighed in on the report's findings. In a statement to CBC News, the family said the report confirms that unregulated behaviour, a lack of accountability and a fundamentally flawed design caused the tragedy. But, it won't bring back what they've lost. No report can alter the heartbreaking outcome, nor fill the immeasurable void left by two cherished members of our family, the statement reads. The Dawood family also called for regulatory reform within the submersible industry. We believe that accountability and regulatory change must follow such a catastrophic failure. We hope this tragedy serves as a turning point and one that drives meaningful reform, rigorous safety standards, and effective oversight within the submersible industry, the statement reads. If Shahzada and Suleman's legacy can be a catalyst for regulatory change that helps prevent such a loss from ever happening again, it will bring us some measure of peace. Enlarge image (new window) Pieces of the Titan were scattered along the ocean floor after a fatal implosion during a dive to Titanic. Photo: Video thumbnail The Shaheed Suleman Dawood Mosque now stands in St. John's, made possible by a donation from Hussain Dawood, father and grandfather of the deceased. Suleman Dawood was the Titan's youngest passenger. He was 19 years old. 'There were really no checks and balances' The family of renowned French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet also expressed their desire for justice — beyond the report's findings. We also believe there are more entities legally responsible that weren't focused upon given how egregious OceanGate's conduct was, said Tony Buzzbee, the attorney representing Paul-Henri Nargeolet's estate, in a statement to CBC News. We look forward now to continuing our efforts in court to obtain justice for the family. Jason Neubauer, chair of the Marine Board of Investigation for Titan implosion, said OceanGate's workplace culture and failure to prioritize safety were key factors in the tragedy. OceanGate's culture was one of the worst, from a safety perspective, and it stems from a lot of different reasons, Neubauer said in an interview with CBC News. But the primary was that you had the head of the company, the CEO, serving in so many different roles. In the MBI report, Rush's relationship to the vessel is stated as chief pilot, chief executive officer and secretary of OceanGate's board of directors. He was a consolidation of power into one individual, and there were really no checks and balances, said Neubauer. If the CEO were still alive, Neubauer said MBI would recommend that a separate criminal investigation be opened for manslaughter. There was negligence involved there, not only from not complying with any of the regulatory standards and certifications and testing, but also for a failure to maintain the vessel with any standard of care, he said. There's negligence that would absolutely constitute a referral to the Department of Justice for a separate investigation. Neubauer said the company failed to follow through with safety systems put in place, disregarding safety data, even though warnings were there from the 2022 operating season. He also noted his surprise at the level of cost-cutting that occurred in OceanGate's operations. They downgraded the size of the support vessel so that the Titan had to be towed thousands of miles, said Neubauer. Enlarge image (new window) Wreckage from the Titan is hoisted from the ship that brought it back to St. John's harbour. Photo: Radio-Canada / PATRICK BUTLER The submersible was also stored outside over the winter in St. John's. That should have never occurred for a carbon fibre craft that is susceptible to porosity and moisture. Those things stand out, said Neubauer. The future of submersible exploration Larry Daley, Titanic expedition specialist, visited the Titanic wreck in a submersible himself in 2003, and considered Nargeolet a close friend. To him, the report revealed that the tragedy was one that could have been avoided. I knew in my heart and soul this was going to end poorly, Daley told CBC News. Daley said expeditions to the Titanic should continue, but safety should be a priority. Exploration is good. It'll keep going on for years. But you got to separate the fame from the fortune, Daley said. It all comes down to doing it safely and having the right equipment. Neubauer said the Titan, in his view, is a good case for regulatory change at an international level. Involving multiple nations and occurring on the high seas, he says it's one the International Maritime Organization could look at. In regard to submersible standards right now, they're recommendatory. We're going to recommend that they be mandatory just in case you have a situation like this, he said. Madison Taylor (new window) · CBC News · Journalist Madison Taylor is a multimedia journalist from Wellington, New Zealand, now based in St. John's, NL. With a passion for stories big and small, you can reach her at With files from Mark Quinn, Thomas Daigle and The Associated Press
Glasgow Times
6 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
6 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.
West Australian
05-08-2025
- General
- West Australian
OceanGate Titan submarine disaster report 2025: ‘Preventable' implosion, toxic workplace and safety negligence
The tour operator responsible for the Titan submersible, which fatally imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, 'leveraged intimidation tactics' to 'evade regulatory scrutiny,' a US Coast Guard investigation report concludes. The disappearance of the Titan off Canada in June 2023 led to a search that grabbed worldwide attention. The incident resulted in the deaths of five people - including British adventurer Hamish Harding and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood. 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 it identified eight 'primary causal factors' that led to the fatal implosion. The report said the implosion was 'preventable'. 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, the report said that 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 report said. '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.' The submersible disaster has led to lawsuits and calls for tighter regulation of the developing private deep-sea expedition industry. with AP
Perth Now
05-08-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Titan submarine implosion ‘preventable', Coast Guard reveals
The tour operator responsible for the Titan submersible, which fatally imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, 'leveraged intimidation tactics' to 'evade regulatory scrutiny,' a US Coast Guard investigation report concludes. The disappearance of the Titan off Canada in June 2023 led to a search that grabbed worldwide attention. The incident resulted in the deaths of five people - including British adventurer Hamish Harding and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood. 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 it identified eight 'primary causal factors' that led to the fatal implosion. The report said the implosion was 'preventable'. 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, the report said that 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 report said. '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.' The submersible disaster has led to lawsuits and calls for tighter regulation of the developing private deep-sea expedition industry. with AP
