Titanic Foundation investigates OceanGate CEO’s safety claims prior to director’s involvement in ill-fated voyage.

RMS Titanic Inc. Investigates Safety Claims After Tragic Submersible Incident

RMS Titanic Inc. is currently looking into the safety concerns raised by OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush following a devastating incident involving one of their submersibles. The tragedy occurred last week when the sub imploded, resulting in the death of one of the foundation’s leaders.

A Fateful Voyage

On June 19, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, the director of underwater research for RMS Titanic Inc., embarked on a daring expedition to explore the depths of the Atlantic Ocean and witness the wreckage of the Titanic. Accompanied by four other passengers, including Stockton Rush, they boarded the 22-foot Titan submersible. Unfortunately, all five individuals likely perished mere hours after their underwater journey began, leaving Nargeolet’s foundation seeking answers.

Questions Arise

“We now have our own internal questions about the representations [OceanGate] made that we relied upon to give PH the green light,” revealed Jessica Sanders, the president of RMS Titanic Inc., in an interview with The New York Post. “We are thoroughly reevaluating the situation internally, as these emerging stories cast doubt on the veracity of those representations, not only to us but also to the court.”

A Troubled Submersible

According to reports, Rush assured passengers that the Titan was “safer than flying in a helicopter or even scuba diving.” However, numerous red flags had surrounded the submersible for years prior to the disaster. Prospective passengers were required to sign waivers acknowledging the potential risks of injury or death, and OceanGate had received multiple warnings from both internal and external sources. Additionally, the company faced a lawsuit from an employee who raised concerns about significant safety issues.

Unconventional Construction

Rush proudly utilized off-the-shelf items and “discounted” parts during the construction of the Titan. Surprisingly, the vessel was steered using a game controller. Furthermore, the OceanGate CEO had previously expressed his reluctance to hire “50-year-old white guys” for his team, even if they possessed extensive experience as submariners.

A Guest on Board

Sanders clarified that Nargeolet joined the OceanGate expedition as a guest, rather than for research purposes. The Frenchman, who was 77 years old, approached RMS Titanic Inc. seeking approval to join the voyage to the Titanic. After careful consideration, the foundation granted his request. Nargeolet had been one of the first individuals to visit the Titanic wreckage in 1987 and had revisited it approximately 35 times.

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Sanders fondly remembered Nargeolet, stating, “If you didn’t get a chance to meet PH, it really is your loss. You ever meet somebody that always has a really great story that’s always semi-unbelievable? … That was who he was.”

Experts believe that those aboard the Titan likely perished “in milliseconds,” based on their analysis of the recovered wreckage. Alongside Rush and Nargeolet, the submersible carried billionaire explorer Hamish Harding and British businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman.