One of Last Messages from Doomed Titan Submersible Crew Was "All Good Here," Hearing Reveals

 

The final communications from the ill-fated Titan submersible, which was headed to the Titanic wreck site, included the message "all good here," according to a visual re-creation presented during the first day of a two-week hearing investigating the submersible's implosion that claimed all five lives aboard.

The U.S. Coast Guard unveiled the animation, depicting the Titan's final moments before it disintegrated on June 18, 2023. The crew had been exchanging texts with the support ship Polar Prince regarding the submersible's depth and weight. Communication was lost after these exchanges, and the Polar Prince repeatedly inquired whether the Titan could still see the ship on its onboard display. One of the Titan’s last messages, which became increasingly sporadic, was "all good here."

The hearing revealed that the Titan was left exposed to the elements for seven months in 2022 and 2023 while in storage, and its hull had not been reviewed by third parties, a standard practice in the industry. These factors, along with the submersible's unconventional design, had drawn scrutiny.

The Marine Board of Investigation, the highest level of marine casualty investigation by the Coast Guard, is overseeing the inquiry. The findings and recommendations will be forwarded to the Coast Guard's commandant upon conclusion. The National Transportation Safety Board is also conducting a parallel investigation.

"There are no words to ease the loss endured by the families affected by this tragic event," said Jason Neubauer of the Coast Guard Office of Investigations, who is leading the hearing. "However, we hope this hearing will provide clarity on the causes of the tragedy and help prevent future occurrences."

Stockton Rush, co-founder of OceanGate, the company that operated the Titan, was among those killed. OceanGate suspended operations following the incident.

The hearing's first witness, Tony Nissen, OceanGate’s former engineering director, testified that Rush was challenging to work with, often focused on cost and schedule concerns, and had a tendency to change his demands frequently. Nissen also revealed that he was initially unaware of the company’s plans to visit the Titanic wreck.

Scheduled witnesses include OceanGate’s former finance director Bonnie Carl and contractor Tym Catterson. However, some key figures, including Rush's widow Wendy Rush, will not be testifying at this session. The Coast Guard did not elaborate on the reasons for not calling specific individuals but noted that it is typical for Marine Board investigations to involve multiple sessions or additional depositions.

Later in the hearing, testimonies are expected from OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein, former operations director David Lochridge, and former scientific director Steven Ross, among others.

The Titan's implosion also resulted in the deaths of Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a veteran Titanic explorer; Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood; and British adventurer Hamish Harding.

In a related development, Nargeolet’s family recently filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against OceanGate. Nargeolet, known as "Mr. Titanic," had conducted more dives to the Titanic site than any other diver.

The submersible lost contact with its support vessel about two hours after its final dive. Following its reported overdue status, a massive search operation was launched, but it became increasingly clear that survival was unlikely. The Titan’s wreckage was later discovered about 330 yards from the Titanic’s bow.

The investigation was initially expected to conclude within a year, but has extended beyond that timeframe. The Coast Guard stated that the inquiry will cover all aspects of the Titan's loss, including mechanical issues, regulatory compliance, and crew qualifications.

Recent images from a Titanic expedition highlight the ongoing decay of the ship, with new discoveries such as a bronze statue previously feared lost. Tomasina Ray, director of collections at RMS Titanic Inc., emphasized the continuous deterioration of the wreck, stating, "We’re monitoring it in real time."