A year after the Titan tragedy, many questions remain unanswered, particularly why OceanGate’s submarine imploded during its mission to explore the Titanic wreck. James Cameron, renowned filmmaker and ocean explorer, publicly criticized OceanGate for violating safety regulations in the design of the submarine. He emphasized that no one should “break the rules” when human lives are at stake, calling OceanGate’s actions reckless and irresponsible.
The Titan was one of the few submarines designed with a hull made of carbon fiber and titanium, materials that experts believe were not strong enough to withstand deep-sea pressure. Cameron noted that this not only caused the implosion to occur almost immediately but also led to the instant deaths of all five people onboard, including his close friend, Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
However, for several days, the world was led to believe that there was hope for a rescue. Reports of knocking sounds from the ocean depths gave the victims’ families and the public hope that the missing passengers might still be alive.
But Cameron revealed that the U.S. Navy had confirmed the implosion shortly after it occurred, though this information was kept secret for national security reasons. This prolonged the agony for the victims’ families.
Sydney, the daughter of Paul-Henri Nargeolet, said she had never received any apology or official communication from OceanGate. Initially, she had hoped her father could survive, only to discover that all of it was “false hope.” The silence and lack of information from OceanGate left the victims’ families feeling abandoned and exhausted.
James Cameron also pointed out that OceanGate and CEO Stockton Rush failed to follow safety protocols when designing the Titan submarine. He argued that the submarine should never have been allowed to carry passengers because it had not undergone proper testing and certification. Cameron expressed his outrage that his friend and the other passengers paid the ultimate price for this negligence.
In conclusion, Cameron pledged to return to the Titanic to continue safer exploration missions, hoping that the Titan’s story would serve as a warning to all involved in future deep-sea exploration endeavors.
