During a recent U.S. Coast Guard hearing, former OceanGate contractor Antonella Wilby detailed serious navigation problems associated with the Titan submarine, which tragically imploded on a dive to the Titanic wreck last year. Wilby’s testimony highlighted the complex and flawed system that may have contributed to this disaster.
The Titan utilized an ultra-short baseline (USBL) acoustic positioning system, similar to GPS, to track its velocity, depth, and position using sound pings. However, instead of seamlessly integrating this data into mapping software, the process was laborious and manual. Wilby explained that coordinates were first written down in a notebook, then entered into Excel, and finally imported into mapping software to create a hand-drawn map of the Titanic wreckage.
Updating this information every five minutes proved challenging, as the team communicated with the sub via short text messages, complicating the navigation further. Wilby suggested using standardized software to streamline data processing, but OceanGate chose to develop its own system, citing time constraints.
Concerns Dismissed, Employee Removed
When Wilby voiced her concerns about the navigation process, she faced backlash. After describing the system as “an idiotic way to do navigation,” she was removed from the project. She recounted a significant incident during Dive 80 in 2022, where a loud noise was heard during ascent. OceanGate attributed this to the shifting of the pressure hull but downplayed the severity, claiming it caused only minor damage.
This echoed the testimony of Steven Ross, OceanGate’s former scientific director, who confirmed the noise’s source. However, Wilby maintained that the damage was minimal, raising questions about the vessel’s overall safety.
Previous Malfunction Raises Red Flags
Additionally, Ross revealed another concerning event just days before the Titan’s fatal implosion. During Dive 87, the sub crashed into a bulkhead due to a malfunctioning ballast tank, causing passengers to be tossed around. While no injuries occurred, it remains unclear if the Titan was inspected afterward to assess any damage.
Ross, not present during the incident, could not confirm whether proper inspections were carried out, further highlighting the lack of transparency surrounding the vessel’s safety leading up to the tragedy.
Flawed Navigation Process and Management Issues
As a communications navigation specialist, Wilby observed significant errors in the Titan’s navigation methods. Coordinates were manually recorded, making them susceptible to inaccuracies. For example, if the map displayed the Titanic as being 50 meters to the west, it might be due to shifts in the map itself, not the submarine’s actual position.
When Wilby raised these issues, she was dismissed from the navigation team. Attempts to escalate her concerns were met with warnings about violating her non-disclosure agreement. A superior even suggested that many were concerned about her mindset, further discouraging her from speaking up.
Wilby described a culture of fear within OceanGate, exacerbated by threats from the late CEO, Stockton Rush, who allegedly warned, “If I don’t like you, I’ll just sue you.”
Calls for Stricter Safety Standards
Patrick Lahey, CEO of Triton Submarines, also spoke at the hearing, emphasizing the need for safety certifications in the submersible industry. Lahey criticized the lack of proper certification for experimental vessels like the Titan, stressing that no uncertified submarines should be sold.
Recalling an encounter with OceanGate employees, Lahey noted his disappointment with the early designs of the Titan. He reiterated the importance of certification for any human-occupied deep-sea exploration, asserting that adhering to safety standards could prevent future tragedies.
The Titan incident has raised significant concerns within the submersible industry, casting doubt on the practices of operators who follow safety protocols. Lahey warned that public trust in deep-sea exploration could suffer due to the disaster, highlighting the critical need for transparency and rigorous safety measures.
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