Titan Submersible Dive Aborted Due to Failure

During a U.S. Coast Guard investigatory panel hearing, Fred Hagen, a passenger on a 2021 Titan submersible mission, testified that their expedition to the Titanic was aborted due to a mechanical failure, as the submersible was unable to navigate and only spun in circles. He acknowledged the inherent risks of using the experimental vessel, stating that anyone who chose to participate was either delusional about the dangers or was embracing the risks. This testimony comes amid a broader investigation into the Titan's operations following the tragic implosion in June 2023 that killed five passengers, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. The hearings have revealed multiple past malfunctions, with scientific director Steven Ross also noting a separate incident shortly before the fatal dive. The U.S. Coast Guard's hearings, which began on September 16, are expected to continue into late September, with ongoing scrutiny of OceanGate's safety practices and mission protocols.