Titan sub hearings live: Engineer testifies OceanGate CEO was closed off to criticism in years before deadly implosion
New photos of the Titan sub wreckage also came to light on Wednesday
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The hearings on the Titan submersible disaster resumed today, as a long-time sub expert testified that Stockton Rush was not open to criticism or hearing the word “no” leading up to his death.
“I don’t think many people ever told Stockton, ‘no.’ Don’t think he understood that concept very much,” William Kohnen, CEO of Hydrospace Group Inc. and chairman of the Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee, testified on Wednesday.
Dr. Don Kramer, National Transportation Safety Board engineer, also testified on Wednesday. He analyzed newly unveiled photos of the Titan sub wreckage for the investigative board, noting where he identified damage to the hull.
Tuesday’s hearing featured Karl Stanley, the owner of a diving expedition company in Honduras and a close friend of Stockton Rush. He went on the doomed submersible with his friend in April 2019.
The Titan sub imploded last June, killing all five people on board, including Rush.
Stanley testified hearing cracking noises on the submersible and that he could pinpoint where they were coming from. He told the board that Rush was “scared” during the 2019 dive.
“It was unnerving and then when it kept happening,” Stanley testified, referring to the noises.
“It’s also a clue to me about Stockton’s psychology...he was scared,” he added.
Recap: Titan sub carbon fiber hull may have been flawed, engineer said
Dr. Don Kramer, an engineer with the National Transportation Safety Board, testified earlier today that the Titan sub’s carbon fiber hull showed signs of flaws.
William Kohnen, chairman of the Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee, also noted that former OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush was not open to criticism.
“I don’t think many people ever told Stockton no,” Kohnen said. “Don’t think he understood that concept very much.”
“This is not something where we don’t want you to do it,” he added. “We want you to do it right.”
Hearing resumes with testimony from William Kohnen
The hearing has resumed.
William Kohnen with Hydrospace Group Inc. will continue testifying before the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation.
Hearing adjourns for lunch
The Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation hearing has adjourned for lunch.
Testimony will resume at 1:40 p.m. EDT.
ICYMI: Watch as long-time friend of OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush testifies that Titan sub explosion was ‘expected’
Were warning signs ignored? Things to know about this week's testimony on the Titan sub disaster
As testimony continues today, check out a recap of the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation’s work so far and what witnesses have said in recent days:
Were warning signs ignored? Things to know about this week's testimony on the Titan sub disaster
Last year, five people hoping to view the Titanic wreckage died when their submersible imploded in the Atlantic Ocean
Chairman of the Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee testifies
William Kohnen with Hydrospace Group Inc. is now testifying before the Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation.
Kohnen is also the chairman of the Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee.
Hearing schedule for Wednesday afternoon
After Dr. Don Kramer, National Transportation Safety Board engineer, ended his testimony on Wednesday morning, the board will hear from two more witnesses.
First up is William Kohnen with Hydrospace Group Inc. He is also the chairman of the Manned Underwater Vehicles Committee. His testimony is set to begin at 11 a.m. EDT.
Afterward, Bart Kemper, principal engineer of Kemper Engineering, will testify.
See it: New images of Titan sub wreckage revealed
Dr. Don Kramer ends testimony as hearing moves to questions
Dr. Don Kramer, a National Transportation Safety Board engineer, has ended his testimony, during which he analyzed the wreckage of the Titan sub.
Members of the board now have the opportunity to ask Kramer questions.
Proceedings begin
Today’s hearing has started.
Jason Neubauer, the board chairman, is currently opening proceedings.
The first witness, Dr Don Kramer, is sworn in.
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