One of the final messages from the five-person crew of the Titan submersible before it imploded, killing all on board, was “all good here,” according to a recent hearing. US Coast Guard investigators revealed that this message was among the last communications between the Titan and its mother ship before contact was lost for good. Also shown at the hearing for the first time was an image, taken by a remotely operated vehicle, of Titan’s tail cone resting on the sea floor after the implosion.
The deep-sea vessel was less than two hours into its descent towards the wreck of the Titanic when the implosion occurred in June 2023. Coast Guard officials began a two-week inquiry on Monday, aiming to uncover the facts of the incident and provide recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. During the hearing, investigators presented a recreation of the journey, including text messages exchanged between the Titan and its mother ship, the Polar Prince.
Last Messages
Titan began its dive at 9:17 AM local time, and the support staff aboard the Polar Prince inquired about the submersible’s depth, weight, and whether it could still see the mother ship on its onboard display. Communications were intermittent, but about an hour into the dive, Titan sent the message, “all good here.” The last message was sent at 10:47 AM, at a depth of 3,346 meters, informing the crew that two weights had been dropped. Shortly after, all communication was lost.
During the hearing, officials provided a historical overview of the Titan, noting that its hull had never undergone third-party testing and had been exposed to weather and other environmental elements while in storage. They also detailed serious issues the submersible had encountered during expeditions prior to the disaster. Between 2021 and 2022, during 13 dives to the Titanic, Titan experienced 118 equipment problems.
These issues included the front dome falling off after being brought out of the sea, thrusters failing at depths of 3,500 meters, and during one dive, the batteries died, leaving passengers trapped inside for 27 hours. OceanGate, the manufacturer of the craft, has previously faced scrutiny over its design choices, safety record, and regulatory compliance.
In the hours leading up to the implosion, the crew sent a series of routine status updates to the surface team. The last message, sent just minutes before the disaster, read, “All good here.” This message, intended to reassure the surface monitoring team, was tragically followed by the catastrophic failure.
The implosion of the Titan submersible resulted from a sudden and massive structural failure under the immense pressure of the deep ocean. Although the vessel was designed to withstand extreme conditions, it suffered a breach that led to an instantaneous and devastating collapse. The exact cause of the failure remains under investigation, but it is believed that the immense pressure at such depths played a significant role in the event.
The final communications from the Titan underscore the crew’s professionalism and commitment to their mission, even in the face of danger. The crew, which included the pilot and four other explorers, was dedicated to advancing ocean exploration and passionate about uncovering the mysteries of the deep sea.
The loss of the Titan has been met with deep sadness and reflection within the exploration community. Tributes and condolences have poured in from colleagues, friends, and supporters who admired the crew’s bravery and the significant risks they undertook in their pursuit of knowledge. Many have acknowledged the crew’s dedication to exploring the Titanic wreck and their contributions to the field of deep-sea exploration.
The investigation into the Titan’s implosion is ongoing, with experts examining the vessel’s design, construction, and operational procedures. The goal is to determine what led to the failure and to prevent similar incidents in the future. The deep-sea exploration community remains hopeful that the lessons learned from this tragedy will lead to improved safety measures and technological advancements.
As the world processes the loss of the Titan and its crew, the focus is also on honoring their legacy and contributions to ocean exploration. The crew’s final messages, reflecting their professionalism and optimism, serve as a reminder of their dedication to exploring the unknown and pushing the boundaries of human exploration.
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