Latest news with #ShahzadaDawood
Arabian Post
5 days ago
- General
- Arabian Post
Titan sub tragedy: Dubai businessman's death deemed avoidable
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The tragic death of a Dubai-based businessman aboard the Titan submersible could have been prevented, according to a detailed report. The incident, which occurred during a voyage to the wreck of the Titanic, saw all five passengers on board perish when the submersible suffered a catastrophic implosion in the North Atlantic. Among the victims was Shahzada Dawood, a well-known Pakistani-British businessman with deep ties to the Middle East. The new findings from investigations suggest critical lapses in the safety measures that led to the fateful disaster. The Titan submersible, operated by the OceanGate company, was designed for deep-sea exploration and had made several successful expeditions before its ill-fated journey. On June 18, 2023, the vessel, with five people onboard, embarked on a mission to survey the wreck of the Titanic, located approximately 3,800 metres beneath the surface. However, less than two hours into the descent, the submersible lost communication, prompting immediate search and rescue operations. Tragically, the submersible was confirmed to have imploded, likely due to the immense pressure at that depth. No survivors were found. ADVERTISEMENT In the aftermath of the incident, a comprehensive investigation was launched by the US Coast Guard, with the support of OceanGate and other stakeholders. The report issued highlights several disturbing safety concerns that may have contributed to the loss of life. One of the key findings revealed that the design of the submersible was flawed, especially in terms of its pressure resistance. Titan's hull, made of carbon fibre and titanium, was found to be particularly vulnerable to the crushing pressures encountered at the extreme depths of the ocean. The report also raises alarms over the lack of sufficient safety protocols. Despite previous warnings from experts and engineers about the potential risks of operating the submersible at such depths, OceanGate proceeded without addressing these concerns adequately. Furthermore, it was discovered that the company had a limited track record of using its submersible for commercial passenger voyages to the Titanic wreck, with only a few successful trips before the disaster. This limited experience, paired with a lack of comprehensive safety testing, created a dangerous combination. Family members of those who perished in the incident have demanded accountability from OceanGate. Dawood's family, in particular, expressed deep anguish, questioning whether the submersible was subjected to the rigorous safety checks expected of high-risk deep-sea vehicles. They have since called for more stringent regulations surrounding private submersible expeditions, pointing to the inadequacies in the oversight of such ventures. OceanGate, in its defence, has acknowledged the tragic outcome of the mission, yet maintained that its technology was sound. However, the company's CEO, Stockton Rush, who also perished in the implosion, had been previously warned about the unorthodox approach to safety that the firm followed. Rush reportedly ignored concerns from industry professionals and regulators, focusing instead on meeting the growing demand for expeditions to the Titanic wreck. This pursuit of speed and innovation, while admirable, ultimately cost lives. The findings have sparked wider conversations about the regulation of private deep-sea expeditions. While the ocean exploration industry continues to grow, the Titan tragedy has underscored the need for a more robust framework to ensure the safety of passengers and crew alike. Calls for stricter regulatory oversight, including the requirement of more frequent and detailed safety checks, have gained momentum. There is growing consensus among marine engineers and experts that submersibles should undergo rigorous independent inspections before embarking on any mission.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
OceanGate's Titan sub firm used ‘intimidation tactics' and had ‘critically flawed' safety practices
The US Coast Guard has released a damning report following the catastrophic implosion of OceanGate's Titan submersible in June 2023, citing 'critically flawed' safety practices 'intimidation tactics' by the firm. The implosion killed all five people on board, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman. The investigation, spanning two years, concludes that OceanGate operated with 'critically flawed' safety and operational practices, repeatedly ignoring established engineering protocols for submersible design, testing and maintenance. The report reveals that the company employed intimidation tactics to evade regulatory oversight and bypass vital inspections - a practice that allowed the Titan to operate outside standard safety regimes for deep-sea vessels. Key Findings Primary cause: Failure to follow fundamental engineering safety standards led to the loss of structural integrity of the Titan's carbon fiber hull, causing an instantaneous implosion under immense water pressure (approximately 4,930 psi) about 90 minutes into a dive near the Titanic wreck. Risky design choices: The Titan was constructed from carbon fiber, a material never before validated for manned deep-sea submersibles due to its susceptibility to delamination and failure under pressure. Ignored warning signs: During a previous dive, passengers reported a loud bang—later identified as hull delamination—yet the company failed to investigate or halt operations adequately. Toxic culture and leadership: CEO Stockton Rush, who also piloted the Titan, downplayed safety concerns and allegedly prioritized customer expectations and financial pressures over safety. The company's culture was described as toxic, with staff discouraged from voicing concerns through firings and intimidation. Regulatory gaps: The report highlights a lack of comprehensive regulation governing commercial submersibles and recommends that the US Coast Guard strengthen oversight, including requiring dive and emergency plans, revoking current designations, and enhancing field support for novel vessels. Accountability and industry impact While the report finds no misconduct by the Coast Guard personnel themselves, it criticizes OceanGate's management, stating Rush exhibited negligence contributing to the deaths and could have faced criminal liability had he survived. Families of victims, including the Dawoods, have urged for meaningful reform, calling the tragedy a 'catastrophic failure' that exposes the urgent need for tighter regulation and industry accountability to prevent future loss of life. The family statement reads: 'No report can alter the heartbreaking outcome, nor fill the immeasurable void left by two cherished members of our family,' it adds. 'We believe that accountability and regulatory change must follow such a catastrophic failure,' it says, adding the family hopes the tragedy will serve as a turning point to bring 'meaningful reform, rigorous safety standards, and effective oversight' to the submersible industry. '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.' Implications for commercial deep-sea exploration The disaster and ensuing report cast a shadow over the nascent commercial deep-sea tourism and exploration industry. Investors and stakeholders are likely to demand greater transparency, adherence to rigorous engineering standards, and clear regulatory frameworks before backing similar ventures. The report's 14 recommendations, if implemented, could reshape operational protocols and regulatory oversight, signaling a shift toward enhanced safety in the sector. This tragedy underscores the delicate balance between pioneering adventure and engineering discipline, emphasizing that innovation must be matched with uncompromising safety and oversight.
CNN
6 days ago
- CNN
US Coast Guard releases investigative findings in the implosion of Titan submersible
The US Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation tasked with examining the June 2023 implosion of the Titan submersible released its report on Tuesday, with the board chair stating that the deaths of the five people on board were 'preventable.' The report lays responsibility for the tragedy largely at the feet of OceanGate, the Washington-based company that operated Titan. The MBI found the 'primary contributing factors' to the implosion were OceanGate's 'inadequate design, certification, maintenance and inspection process for the Titan,' a Coast Guard release said, also pointing to the company's 'toxic workplace culture.' Follow live updates: US Coast Guard releases report on Titan submersible implosion The ill-fated expedition seized the world's attention just over two years ago, when the vessel vanished during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic. A massive search operation unfolded in the North Atlantic, but the submersible's mangled wreckage was found on the ocean floor. Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of the vessel's operator, OceanGate; businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood; businessman Hamish Harding; and French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet were all killed. Those remains were matched to the five men on board through DNA testing and analysis, the Marine Board of Investigation previously said. 'The two-year investigation has identified multiple contributing factors that led to this tragedy, providing valuable lessons learned to prevent a future occurrence,' Jason Neubauer, the MBI chair, said in the statement. 'There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework.' CNN is working to review the report. This story has been updated with additional information.
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Titan sub disaster report latest: OceanGate had ‘critically flawed' safety practices before Titanic trip
The U.S. Coast Guard has revealed the results of their investigation into the June 2023 implosion of the OceanGate Titan deep-sea submersible. The report, released Tuesday, found OceanGate had 'critically flawed' safety practices. Investigators noted 'glaring disparities between their written safety protocols and their actual practices." The company also had a 'toxic working culture,' which included firing staff who raised safety concerns, the report says. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who died in the implosion, 'exhibited negligence' that led to the tragic accident, investigators say. The CEO went on to 'completely ignore' critical inspections, data and preventative maintenance procedures. Rush could have faced charges after investigators say they "identified evidence of a potential criminal offense.' The report confirmed the cause of the submarine's implosion was a 'loss of structural integrity.' This led to the 'instantaneous' death of all five people on board. The other four passengers killed in the implosion included businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48; his son, Suleman Dawood, 19; businessman Hamish Harding, 58; and explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77. Breaking: U.S. Coast Guard releases report on OceanGate Titan submersible The U.S. Coast Guard has published the results of their investigation into the June 2023 implosion of the OceanGate Titan deep-sea submersible. Investigators found evidence of negligence and a toxic work culture, the report says. Isabel Keane has the full story: A new U.S. Coast Guard report revealed that OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush 'completely ignored' warning signs leading up to the doomed submersible's implosion. Katie Hawkinson5 August 2025 14:21
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
OceanGate used 'intimidation tactics' and safety practices were 'critically flawed', Titan sub report finds
Update: Date: 13:28 BST Title: Passengers' family condemns 'catastrophic failure' that led to deaths Content: The family of Titan sub passengers Shahzada and Suleman Dawood have released a statement calling for tougher regulation and oversight in light of the coast guard's report. British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada and his 19-year-old son Suleman were two of the three paying customers who died in the implosion. The report confirms "unregulated behaviour, a lack of accountability, and a fundamentally flawed design" led to the deaths of those on board, the family statement reads. "No report can alter the heartbreaking outcome, nor fill the immeasurable void left by two cherished members of our family," it adds. 'We believe that accountability and regulatory change must follow such a catastrophic failure," it says, adding the family hopes the tragedy will serve as a turning point to bring "meaningful reform, rigorous safety standards, and effective oversight" to the submersible industry. "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." Update: Date: 13:23 BST Title: OceanGate's cultural and safety practices 'critically flawed', report says Content: Aside from the eight primary causes of the implosion, the report lists four other factors that contributed: The report also observes that OceanGate failed to launch an investigation into a whistleblower's complaint in 2018. Had this taken place, it suggests, early intervention could have resulted in OceanGate either aligning with regulatory requirements or abandoning its plans for Titanic expeditions altogether - therefore avoiding the implosion. Update: Date: 13:19 BST Title: Loss of structural integrity caused implosion, investigation finds Content: The Titan sub's implosion was caused by the loss of structural integrity of its carbon fibre hull, leading to the "instantaneous" death of everyone on board, the US Coast Guard's investigation has determined. "This loss of structural integrity caused the sudden catastrophic implosion of the hull," the report says. The people on board were "exposed to approximately 4,930 pounds per square inch of water pressure, resulting in the instantaneous death of all five occupants". Update: Date: 13:15 BST Title: Report: Eight primary causal factors led to fatal sub implosion Content: We've some detail on the primary factors given in the report for the sub's implosion. They are: Update: Date: 13:12 BST Title: OceanGate chief 'completely ignored' inspections and maintenance procedures - report Content: The report says OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who died on board the submersible, was able to ignore vital data in the run-up to the incident due to a lack of oversight. "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," it says. Update: Date: 13:09 BST Title: Who were the five people on board the Titan? Content: The CEO of the submersible company, a British billionaire explorer, a French diver, and a father and son were all on board the Titan submersible that imploded in June 2023. Stockton Rush, 61, was the chief executive of OceanGate, the firm which owned the Titan submersible. He was an experienced engineer who had previously designed an experimental aircraft and worked on other small submersible vessels. British adventurer Hamish Harding, 58, ran Action Aviation, a Dubai-based private jet dealership, and completed several exploration feats. He visited the South Pole multiple times - once with former astronaut Buzz Aldrin - and flew into space in 2022 on board Blue Origin's fifth human-crewed flight. The CEO of the submersible company, a British billionaire explorer, a French diver and a father and son were all on board the Titan British businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, was from one of Pakistan's richest families. He was travelling on the sub with his son Suleman, 19, a student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, where he had just completed his first year at the university's Business School. Dawood lived with his wife, Christine, and other child, Alina, in Surbiton, south-west London. The family were spending a month in Canada prior to the dive. Also on board was Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 77, a former French Navy diver. Nicknamed Mr Titanic, he reportedly spent more time at the wreck than any other explorer and was part of the first expedition to visit it in 1987, just two years after it was found. Update: Date: 13:07 BST Title: OceanGate used 'intimidation tactics' to avoid scrutiny, report says Content: In the years leading up to the incident, OceanGate "leveraged intimidation tactics, allowances for scientific operations, and the company's favorable reputation to evade regulatory scrutiny," the report adds. "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," it says. Update: Date: 13:04 BST Title: Report gives primary cause as failure to follow engineering protocols Content: The report lists the primary causal factor for the implosion as the "failure to follow established engineering protocols for safety, testing and maintenance of their submersible". It adds that the report also identified: We'll bring you more on this as we dig through the 335-page report. Update: Date: 13:03 BST Title: Report looks into what caused Titan sub to implode Content: Alison FrancisSenior science journalist The US Coast Guard (USCG) has spent two years looking into the Titan disaster - and it's been a long and complex investigation. In September 2024, the USCG held a two-week long public hearing, where witnesses - including former OceanGate employees, Titan passengers and deep sea experts - gave evidence. The wreckage of Titan, recovered from the sea floor, has also been carefully examined. The USCG is aiming to establish what went wrong and to make recommendations to prevent a disaster like this from happening again. The report from its Marine Board of Investigation looks at: Update: Date: 13:03 BST Title: What happened to the Titan sub? Content: Rebecca MorelleScience editor As we pick through the report to bring you the key lines, here's a reminder of what happened to the Titan sub. The Titan sub began its dive to the Titanic, which lies 3,800m (12,467ft) down in the Atlantic Ocean, on the morning of 18 June 2023. But 90 minutes into its descent, just 500m from reaching the famous wreck, the submersible experienced a catastrophic failure. The five people onboard were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who was piloting the sub, French Titanic expert Paul-Henri 'PH' Nargeolet, who was co-pilot, and three passengers who had paid the company for the dive: British explorer Hamish Harding, British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman. All were killed instantly - the implosion was so fast that no-one would have had any time to register what was happening. A huge search and rescue operation was launched, with planes, ships and underwater robots scouring the Atlantic Ocean. But on 22 June the wreckage of Titan was found. Underwater images previously released by the US Coast Guard (USCG) show the sub in pieces, crushed and mangled, and scattered across the sea floor. Update: Date: 13:02 BST Title: US Coast Guard releases Titan sub implosion report Content: The US Coast Guard's report into the implosion of the Titan submersible has just been released, following a complex two-year investigation. In June 2023, the OceanGate sub imploded around 90 minutes into its descent towards the wreckage of the Titanic in the Atlantic Ocean. All five people on board were killed - including three paying passengers, OceanGate chief executive and sub pilot Stockton Rush, and the co-pilot Our team of reporters is reading through the report now - we'll bring you all the key lines and analysis.
