Titan sub hearing live: OceanGate volunteer said nobody was concerned until sub ‘was really overdue’ from dive
Coast Guard has released more footage of the Titan submersible wreckage including remnants of its hull scattered on the sea bed, following the ‘catastrophic implosion’ that killed all five passengers on board
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A tearful mission specialist recounted collecting personal belongings from the victims of the OceanGate sub before it dove under the water and the dangers of dives to the site of the Titanic wreck.
Renata Rojas, the mission specialist from the US submersible company that operated the expedition, addressed the US Coast Guard Titan Marine Board of Investigations panel on Thursday.
Once Rojas was released, former OceanGate scientific director Dr Steven Ross spoke about a frightening mission that left him and other passengers at the surface unable to get out of the Titan submersible.
“The rest of the passengers tumbled about,” he said. “I ended up standing on the rear bulkhead. One passenger was hanging upside down.”
They are just two of several witnesses testifying to the panel investigating the “catastrophic implosion” of the Titan submersible, killing all five passengers on board.
Earlier this week, David Lochridge, a former OceanGate employee, stated he had “no confidence whatsoever” with the Titan’s construction.
“It was inevitable something was going to happen. It was just a [question of] when,” the whistleblower, who is one of 10 ex-OceanGate staff or suppliers that make up the 24 witnesses, testified.
Hearing has concluded for the day
The US Coast Guard’s hearing on the Titanic submersible tragedy has concluded for the day and will resume at 8.30am on Friday.
Former scientific director says OceanGate CEO thought Titan would be good for ‘indefinite’ dives
Steven Ross says that he once asked Stockton Rush how long the Titan would be good for until it needed refurbishments. Typically, subs need to be refurbished after a certain number of dives because of the pressures at deep levels.
But, Rush told Ross he thought his design would be good for “indefinite” trips to the Titanic wreckage.
Steven Ross is avoiding making direct answers
Testimony from the former scientific director is vague. He is avoiding giving direct answers to questions presented to him by the panel.
Ross describing a dive that was aborted in June 2023
During one dive Ross was on, the platform malfunctioned.
Five people were inside the Titan and the seas were not calm. It took an hour to let those on board get out of the water.
“There’s nothing to hold onto inside the submersible really. It’s a fairly smooth tube,” he said.
“The pilot crashed into the rear bulkhead. The rest of the passengers tumbled about. I ended up standing on the rear bulkhead. One passenger was hanging upside down. The other two managed to wedge themselves into the bow end cap.”
He spoke to Stockton Rush about the issue, but could not recall OceanGate conducting an assessment of the Titan hull after the incident.
Steven Ross says he aware of a theory about a ‘loud noise’ during dive
During one OceanGate dive, the crew heard a “loud noise” that the crew speculated came from the shifting of the pressure steel its metal cradle when it popped back into place.
Ross says OceanGate had “multiple agendas”
During most of his scientific career, the focus on expeditions primarily focused on science, but Ross says OceanGate had “multiple agendas,” notably going to see the Titanic shipwreck.
Dr Steven Ross, former scientific director of OceanGate, testifying
Dr Stephen Ross is currently describing his background and his role working with the company.
Renata Rojas went down to see Titanic wreckage
Renata Rojas, a mission specialist went to see the Titanic. She said it had been her dream as a child to see the wreckage. She visited it with OceanGate in 2021.
Renata Rojas delivers emotional closing statement
“What we’ve all gone through is still very raw. Nothing is ever going to bring our friends back,” she said. “I hope that this investigation creates an understanding that with exploration, there’s risks. And without taking that risk and exploration, the world would still be flat.
“I hope that innovation continues so we can make the oceans accessible to people like me who got to fufill a dream.”
Rojas recalls losing communications with Titan submersible
Mission specialist Renata Rojas says she had just finished her lunch when the team lost communications with the Titan submersible.
She said Stockton Rush’s wife, Wendy Rush, usually sat at the communications table.
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