In image TITAN Submersible. (Photo by OceanGate Expidition via AP)
David Lochridge, a former OceanGate employee who had raised concerns about the safety of an experimental submersible, is set to testify before U.S. Coast Guard investigators. Lochridge, previously OceanGate's operations director, will provide crucial insight into the events leading up to the tragic implosion of the Titan submersible, which killed all five people aboard during its voyage to the Titanic wreck last year.
The Titan’s disaster has sparked global discussions on the safety of private undersea exploration. Among those who died in the incident was Stockton Rush, OceanGate’s co-founder. The company, based in Washington state, halted operations following the tragedy.
Lochridge’s testimony follows that of other former employees, who described a company in a hurry to launch its unconventional submersible. On Monday, OceanGate’s former engineering director, Tony Nissen, told investigators he felt pressured to ready the Titan for its dives. Nissen revealed that years prior to the Titan’s final voyage, he refused to pilot the submersible, telling Rush, “I’m not getting in it.” While he acknowledged feeling pressure to launch the Titan, Nissen stopped short of claiming that safety was compromised.
OceanGate’s former finance and human resources director, Bonnie Carl, testified that Lochridge had labeled the Titan as “unsafe.” His testimony is expected to shed further light on what led to the vessel’s fatal failure.
Coast Guard officials noted at the hearing’s start that the Titan had not undergone independent safety reviews, which is standard for such vessels. The submersible’s unusual design also raised eyebrows within the undersea exploration community. On its final dive, on June 18, 2023, the Titan lost contact with its support ship, Polar Prince, shortly after exchanging messages about its depth and weight.
The search for the missing submersible mobilized extensive rescue efforts, with ships, planes, and equipment rushing to the scene, about 435 miles south of Newfoundland. Wreckage of the Titan was later found on the ocean floor, near the Titanic’s bow.
As the investigation continues, other key figures, including OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein and former scientific director Steven Ross, are expected to testify. The hearing is part of a broader inquiry by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board. Recommendations will be submitted once the investigation concludes.
