(Photo : JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)
US Coast Guard (USCG) Captain Jamie Frederick speaks to reporters about the search efforts for the Titan submersible that went missing near the wreck of the Titanic, at Coast Guard Base in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 21, 2023.

The Crew Onboard

Prior to embarking on the submarines provided by OceanGate, passengers were informed through a contractual agreement about the associated risks, acknowledging that the equipment had not obtained approval or certification from any regulatory authority. The contract explicitly highlighted the potential for physical injury, disability, motion trauma, or even loss of life.

This disclaimer is just one among a series of concerns raised regarding the company's safety track record, particularly as the whereabouts of the crew remain unknown while the air supply diminishes rapidly.

A lawsuit, a letter from industry leaders, and statements from the company's CEO about the missing crew members have all raised alarms regarding potential issues with the Titan submersible.

Despite these warnings and uncertainties, OceanGate proceeded with its ambitious Titanic mission. Boarded on the vessel were five individuals, notably for their wealth.

Stockton Rush

Stockton Rush, the founder of OceanGate, was at the helm of the mission and guided the team into the depths.

Hamish Harding

Hamish Harding, a seasoned businessman, and explorer, brings his wealth of experience and multiple Guinness World Records to the venture.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet

Additionally, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a French expert renowned for his remarkable 35 previous trips to the Titanic's wreckage, lends his expertise to the team.

Together, this diverse group embarked on an extraordinary journey to unravel the mysteries of the wreckage.

Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood

Joining them are Shahzada Dawood and Suleman Dawood, a father and son duo from a prominent British-Pakistani family, who eagerly tried to contribute to the expedition.

Read Also: YouTuber MrBeast Says He Got Invited to Join Ill-Fated Titan Submersible

Suleman Dawood Brought a Rubik's Cube to Beat a Record

19-year-old Suleman Dawood, a student at Strathclyde University, had embarked on the ill-fated trip despite feeling terrified, as it coincided with Father's Day, according to his aunt.

Suleman's remarkable talent for solving the Rubik's Cube in just 12 seconds was well-known among his family. His mother, Christine Dawood, shared how he would always carry his Rubik's Cube with him and had even taught himself to solve it through YouTube tutorials.

Suleman had planned to attempt a world record during the expedition and had brought a camera to capture his feat. Sadly, while Suleman's mother and sister were aboard the Polar Prince, the support vessel, they received the distressing news that communication with the Titan had been lost.

The Disappearance and the Robot That Scoured the Ocean Floor

Approximately 90 minutes into the descent, communication between the Titan and the mothership ceased, raising concerns. An "anomaly" was detected in the vicinity of the site through Navy acoustic equipment, and the submersible failed to resurface at the expected time of 3:00 P.M.

A search operation was launched, and underwater noises were reported in the search area by Canadian aircraft.

Authorities in the United States and Canada had shifted their focus from search and rescue operations to conducting an investigation into the tragic maritime incident involving the implosion of the Titan submersible.

As part of the investigation, a robot was meticulously scouring the ocean floor in search of debris related to the devastating event. The primary objective was to determine the factors that contributed to the disaster and ascertain if any legal violations occurred.

Pelagic Research Services reported that their remotely operated vehicle, the Odysseus 6K, which previously discovered the debris field of the Titan submersible, was engaged in the operation to retrieve debris from the Atlantic Ocean. The company acknowledged the utilization of Odysseus' heavy-lifting capabilities in the ongoing Titan recovery mission.

However, they did not disclose whether any debris had been successfully recovered. They directed CNN to the US Coast Guard, the leading agency overseeing the investigation and recovery efforts following the implosion.

The Somber Discovery

On the morning of June 22, a debris field was discovered by an ROV from the Horizon Arctic near the Titanic, confirming the worst. Coast Guard officials reported that significant remnants of the 22-foot (6.7-meter) Titan submersible, including the tail cone and two portions of the pressure hull, were identified within the debris field resulting from its disintegration. However, there was no indication provided regarding the sighting of human remains.

The US Coast Guard announced on the same day was discovered fragmented due to a devastating implosion. This catastrophic event resulted in the loss of all lives on board. The loss of the Titan's crew was announced, leading to a wave of grief and shock. The multinational search for the vessel had concluded.

Ofer Ketter, a respected submersible specialist and co-founder of Sub-Merge, explained that the implosion force would have disintegrated parts of the submersible instantly, leaving only materials such as titanium and steel intact. Ketter emphasized that the crew would not have suffered as the event occurred in less than a millisecond.

The Disheartening Online Reactions to Titan's Tragedy

A cultural expert and psychologist have expressed alarm over a decline in empathy within the American public, highlighting a stark example through the proliferation of hateful remarks online targeting the victims of a submersible incident during their expedition to explore the Titanic wreckage.

While the search efforts were still underway, a surge of derogatory and mocking comments flooded the internet, with some individuals even resorting to phrases like "Eat the rich."

While the tragic incident unfolded, social media platforms saw an influx of Titanic jokes and insensitive comments about the submersible passengers. Clinical psychologist Michelle Solomon expressed concern over the lack of empathy in our culture and urged for compassion during such distressing times.

The loss of Titan's crew serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with deep-sea exploration and the need for stringent safety measures. OceanGate and the broader maritime community mourn the lives lost in this ill-fated mission, prompting a critical examination of future underwater expeditions.