(TNND) — The National Transportation Safety Board released its final report of the Titan pressure vessel, engineered by OceanGate, that imploded by intense water pressure beneath the North Atlantic Ocean in the summer of 2023 instantly killing everyone on board.
Four passengers, including the pilot and CEO of the company, were aboard the vessel, which was attempting to reach the site of the Titanic wreck.
According to NTSB, OceanGate’s flawed engineering and testing process was a direct result of the catastrophic implosion.
The Titan’s pressure vessel “likely” sustained damage after its 80th dive or descent into the ocean before resurfacing, developing one or more weak spots, which made the hull even weaker, the report states.
After its 82nd dive, the sub got more damage from an “unknown origin” that further weakened it. The combination of the earlier weak spots as well as the additional damage between dive 82 and the final dive, dive 88, caused part of the hull to collapse, leading to the Titan’s fate of implosion.
Investigators concluded that OceanGate failed to verify the strength and durability of the pressure vessel to full capacity, revealing that it did not meet the required safety standards.
Additionally, the company misinterpreted real-time monitoring data, missing signs of structural damage during earlier dives.
In their report, NTSB criticized OceanGate for lacking an emergency response plan and failing to notify authorities of its expedition. Although a rescue was not possible, NTSB noted that adherence to federal emergency guidance could have sped up recovery efforts and saved resources.
The NTSB also identified regulatory gaps in U.S. and international oversight of pressure vessels, stating that the existing standards do not sufficiently ensure the safety of deep-sea passenger operations.
The NTSB found that the Titan implosion was likely caused by poor design, testing, and monitoring, made worse by weak regulations and the fact that the damaged sub continued to operate.
