The co-founder of the company that owned the experimental submersible involved in the catastrophic incident during its descent to the Titanic wreck is set to testify before the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday, as part of the ongoing investigation into the maritime disaster.
Guillermo Sohnlein, a businessman and one of the founders of Titan owner OceanGate, will address key issues surrounding the implosion that took place in June 2023, which claimed the lives of five individuals, including co-founder Stockton Rush. The Coast Guard initiated a public hearing earlier this month as part of a comprehensive investigation into the causes of this tragic event.
Although Sohnlein departed the company years prior, he has defended its mission in light of the tragedy. His testimony is expected to shed light on the internal dynamics and operations of OceanGate.
The public hearing commenced on September 16, focusing on the company’s problematic aspects. Former OceanGate operations director David Lochridge highlighted his frequent disagreements with Rush, revealing concerns that the company’s primary objective was financial profit rather than scientific exploration.
“The whole idea behind the company was to make money,” said Lochridge. “There was very little in the way of science.”
Other witnesses set to testify include the former engineering director Phil Brooks and Roy Thomas from the American Bureau of Shipping. The hearing is anticipated to extend through Friday, featuring additional testimonies.
Lochridge and his fellow witnesses described a company eager to launch its uniquely designed craft into the depths of the ocean. This accident has ignited a global discussion regarding the future of private undersea exploration.
Coast Guard officials highlighted that the submersible had not undergone standard independent review processes, raising significant scrutiny within the undersea exploration community regarding Titan’s unconventional design.
Following the implosion, OceanGate, headquartered in Washington state, ceased all operations and currently has no full-time employees, though it is represented by legal counsel during the hearings.
During the final dive on June 18, 2023, the crew lost contact after discussing Titan’s descent. The support ship Polar Prince repeatedly sought confirmation of Titan’s status, to which the last message received stated, “all good here,” just before the submersible’s tragic implosion.
When Titan was reported overdue, search and rescue operations mobilized rapidly, dispatching ships and aircraft to a location approximately 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Ultimately, the wreckage of the Titan was discovered around 330 yards (300 meters) from the Titanic’s bow, with no survivors on board.
OceanGate has expressed its full commitment to cooperating with ongoing investigations by the Coast Guard and the NTSB, affirming that Titan had been conducting voyages to the Titanic wreck site since 2021.
