Current:Home > ScamsOceanGate Suspends All Explorations 2 Weeks After Titanic Submersible implosion -RiskRadar
OceanGate Suspends All Explorations 2 Weeks After Titanic Submersible implosion
SafeX Pro Exchange View
Date:2025-04-06 23:33:25
OceanGate's expeditions will not go on. For now, at least.
Two weeks after its Titan submersible imploded on a voyage to the Titanic wreckage, killing all five passengers on board, the company noted on its website July 6 that all exploration and commercial operations have been suspended.
On June 18, the 22-foot sub went missing nearly two hours after its descent off the coast of Newfoundland, causing a massive search—and a story that gripped the world's attention.
On board was the company's CEO Stockton Rush as well as British billionaire Hamish Harding, diver and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman Dawood.
Shortly after the 96-hour deadline for available oxygen supply passed on June 22, OceanGate confirmed the entire crew had died.
"These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world's oceans," the company said in a statement. "Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time. We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew."
"This is an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply over this loss," the message continued. "The entire OceanGate family is deeply grateful for the countless men and women from multiple organizations of the international community who expedited wide-ranging resources and have worked so very hard on this mission."
That afternoon, the Coast Guard discovered the tail cone of the Titan in the search area as well as large pieces of debris it described as "consistent with a catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber."
While officials have not yet determined what exactly caused the sub to implode, Titanic director James Cameron called out the flaw in the ship's carbon-fiber composite, noting it had "no strength in compression."
As he told the New York Times, deep sea explorations like this are "not what it's designed for."
Still, the celebrated diver struggled to wrap his mind around the eerie parallels between the Titanic and the Titan.
"For a very similar tragedy, where warnings went unheeded, to take place at the same exact site with all the diving that's going on all around the world, I think it's just astonishing," Cameron told ABC News. "It's really quite surreal."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (6687)
Related
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Ukrainians move to North Dakota for oil field jobs to help families facing war back home
- 3 reasons gas prices are climbing again
- Mega Millions jackpot jumps to an estimated $1.55 billion, the third-largest in lottery history
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Syrian baby born under earthquake rubble turns 6 months, happily surrounded by her adopted family
- Buck Showalter makes Baltimore return amid Mets' mess: 'Game will knock you to your knees'
- Florida officials tell state schools to teach AP Psychology 'in its entirety'
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Trump mounts defense in Alabama campaign appearance
Ranking
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Coroner identifies fleeing armed motorist fatally shot by Indianapolis officer during foot chase
- World Cup's biggest disappointments: USWNT escaped group but other teams weren't so lucky
- NASCAR driver Noah Gragson suspended for liking meme making fun of George Floyd's murder
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Every Time Rachel Bilson Delightfully Divulged TMI
- Search continues for beloved teacher who went missing 1 week ago
- Vivek Ramaswamy, the youngest GOP presidential candidate, wants civics tests for young voters 18 to 24
Recommendation
San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
Browns icon Joe Thomas turns Hall of Fame enshrinement speech into tribute to family, fans
Got a data breach alert? Don't ignore it. Here's how to protect your information.
How the 1996 Murder of JonBenét Ramsey Became a National Obsession
Travis Hunter, the 2
Influencer to be charged after chaos erupts in New York City's Union Square
Eagles reserve lineman Sills acquitted of rape, kidnapping charges
Funder of Anti-Child Trafficking Film Sound of Freedom Charged With Accessory to Child Kidnapping