The fatal Titan submarine disaster, resulting in the gruesome deaths of five occupants compressed to the size of a corn can, was a disaster waiting to happen, according to experts. The scientific community has been quick to challenge the submersible's resilience, which was subjected to horrifying pressures of up to 6,000 pounds per square inch during its ambitious voyages to the Titanic wreckage, located about two-and-a-half miles beneath the ocean surface.
Some experts had flagged concerns over Titan's design and functionality from its inception, pointing to frequent mechanical failures that led to trip cancellations or premature returns. Despite these red flags, OceanGate, the company behind these expeditions, forged ahead with the deep-sea missions.
Titan's creator and OceanGate co-founder, Stockton Rush, who tragically lost his life in the June 18 catastrophe, was renowned for his rule-breaking approach to innovation. The aerospace engineering graduate and former commercial pilot had previously defended his disregard for expert advice. Rush once said, "I think it was General Douglas MacArthur who said, 'You're remembered for the rules you break.' And I've broken some rules to make this."
Rush's unconventional use of construction materials for Titan, namely carbon fiber and titanium, was a primary point of contention among experts. Critics argue that this audacious move directly contributed to the deaths of Rush and his companions: renowned French deep-sea explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani-British billionaire Shahzada Dawood, and Dawood's 19-year-old son, Suleman.
Astoundingly, OceanGate was charging an astonishing $250,000 per person for the exhilarating journey to the final resting place of the Titanic in the depths of the North Atlantic. Critics, including 'Titanic' film director and submersible enthusiast James Cameron, have been outspoken about the composite hull's predicted susceptibility to damage over time, which they argue led to the tragic implosion.
Cameron criticized Rush for using aviation engineering methods ill-suited for submersibles. "They didn't go through certification," Cameron lamented. He warned that the carbon fiber could degrade over time until the material's integrity finally gives way to a deadly implosion.
Stefano Brizzolara, a professor of ocean engineering at Virginia Tech, also noted that the composite hull material used in Titan's construction is "more fragile" and "prone to possible defects," which could lead to "structural collapse."
Revelations from Arnie Weissmann, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, add another troubling dimension. Weissmann stated that Rush had previously admitted to him that the carbon fiber used in Titan's construction wasn't fresh material but recycled from old Boeing plane parts.
Sources also reveal that many of OceanGate's deep dives failed to reach the Titanic wreckage due to various problems. The lethal Titan's last voyage serves as a tragic reminder of the potential consequences of such failures.