Coast Guard Report Faults OceanGate in Titan Disaster

The U.S. Coast Guard's final report on the 2023 Titan submersible disaster concluded the fatal implosion was entirely preventable and primarily caused by OceanGate's disregard for established engineering and safety protocols. CEO Stockton Rush was singled out for ignoring repeated safety warnings, misrepresenting the sub's capabilities, and creating a toxic workplace environment where concerns were suppressed. The report details OceanGate's failure to obtain necessary certification, address red flags from earlier dives, and resolve critical maintenance and hull integrity issues, particularly involving its carbon fiber construction. Investigators noted a disconnect between written safety protocols and actual company practices and stated that criminal prosecution would have been considered for Rush had he survived. The report's findings have intensified calls for stronger oversight and regulation of private deep-sea expeditions. Industry experts and filmmaker James Cameron had previously criticized OceanGate's approach to safety and engineering.