Co-Founder of Titan Set to Testify Before Coast Guard on Submersible Implosion

WASHINGTON — Guillermo Sohnlein, co-founder of OceanGate, will testify before the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday as part of the ongoing investigation into the implosion of the submersible Titan, which occurred during a mission to the Titanic wreckage in June 2023. The incident claimed the lives of five individuals, including Stockton Rush, who was also a co-founder of the company.

The Coast Guard initiated public hearings earlier this month to examine the circumstances surrounding the catastrophic event. Sohnlein, who has distanced himself from the company in recent years, is expected to provide insights into the operational practices that characterized OceanGate.

During the hearings, former OceanGate operations director David Lochridge testified about tensions within the company, underscoring a prevalent focus on profitability over scientific exploration. “The whole idea behind the company was to make money,” he stated, emphasizing a critical perspective on the organization’s priorities.

Additional witnesses scheduled to appear include Phil Brooks, former engineering director, and Roy Thomas from the American Bureau of Shipping. The hearing, which commenced on September 16, is set to continue through the week and aims to shed light on the troubled history of OceanGate.

Concerns over the company’s designs arose when Coast Guard officials highlighted that Titan had not undergone independent review, a standard procedure in the exploratory community. This lack of oversight, combined with Titan’s unconventional structure, has drawn scrutiny and raised questions about safety protocols.

In the wake of the tragedy, OceanGate has suspended operations and presently has no full-time employees. Legal representation for the company has been noted during the hearings, indicating ongoing legal complexities following the incident.

On June 18, 2023, during its final dive, communications from Titan ceased after the crew exchanged texts about their descent. The last transmitted message claimed “all good here,” moments before the submersible imploded.

Search efforts commenced rapidly after Titan was reported overdue, deploying planes and ships to a location approximately 435 miles south of St. John’s, Newfoundland. The wreckage was later located on the ocean floor, approximately 330 yards from the Titanic wreck, with all on board confirmed deceased.

Since the incident, OceanGate has expressed full cooperation with investigations conducted by the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The Titan had undertaken multiple voyages to the Titanic site beginning in 2021, underscoring the vessel’s role in private deep-sea exploration.