A newly released transcript from a crucial meeting at OceanGate, the company behind the ill-fated Titan submersible, reveals a stark warning from CEO Stockton Rush in 2018: “No one is dying under my watch – period.” This contentious dialogue, which took place between Rush and former director of marine operations David Lochridge, highlights serious safety concerns raised by Lochridge and other staff members.
The transcript, disclosed by the US Coast Guard as part of its investigation into the catastrophic June 2023 incident where the submersible imploded on its way to the Titanic wreck site—resulting in the deaths of all five passengers, including Rush—reveals a dismissive stance towards safety protocols. In response to Lochridge’s apprehensions, Rush proclaimed, “I have no desire to die… I think this is one of the safest things I will ever do.”
OceanGate has since suspended all exploration and commercial activities amid rising scrutiny regarding the submersible’s safety and design. The ongoing two-week inquiry aims to uncover the underlying causes of the tragedy and propose measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The transcript was made available on Friday, although some details remain redacted. The inquiry has identified Lochridge as a key figure who compiled a “quality inspection report” that spotlighted critical flaws in the Titan’s design, including concerns over the quality of its carbon fiber hull.
During his testimony last week, Lochridge remarked on the nature of the January 19, 2018, meeting, stating: “That meeting turned out to be a two-hour, 10-minute discussion… on my termination and how my disagreements with the organization, with regards to safety, didn’t matter.” He emphasized his commitment to addressing safety issues that had been routinely overlooked.
In the recorded meeting, Lochridge articulated his grave concerns, which were met with resistance from Rush, who defended his approach despite acknowledging Lochridge’s feelings. Rush asserted, “Everything I’ve done on this project is people telling me it won’t work – you can’t do that.” He further insisted that he understood the risks involved and intended to remain safe, even using his granddaughter as motivation.
Following this contentious meeting, Lochridge was terminated and subsequently reported his concerns to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but faced bureaucratic delays and pressures to withdraw the complaint under legal threats from OceanGate.
Lochridge later stated that he believes rigorous investigations could have prevented the tragedy.
Additionally, the investigation has brought to light past technical incidents involving the Titan submersible. An image released by the US Coast Guard shows the titanium dome that detached during a 2021 dive, backed by testimony from a passenger who described how the force from the platform caused bolts to detach and the dome to fall off.
As public hearings continue, significant testimony is expected from OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein and former company officials, as the investigation seeks accountability and safety reforms in submersible operations.
