- A visit to OceanGate’s workshop left Rob McCallum disturbed by what he considered major safety issues.
- McCallum expressed his concerns to CEO Stockton Rush, with several employees also raising safety issues.
During his visit to OceanGate Expeditions’ workshop, Rob McCallum, an expert in deep sea expeditions, was taken aback by the lack of concern for what he considered safety issues.
Describing the atmosphere, McCallum said, “Everyone was drinking Kool-Aid and saying how cool they were with a Sony PlayStation,” highlighting the use of a video game controller in the company’s submersibles, including the ill-fated Titan submersible.
Prior to his visit, McCallum had advised OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush on marketing and logistics. However, after examining the submersible known as Cyclops I and expressing his concerns, McCallum decided to sever ties with the company.
One of McCallum’s major concerns was the use of a Sony PlayStation controller, which he believed was not designed for the submersibles. Additionally, he raised alarm when Rush mentioned that the system ran on Bluetooth instead of hardwired controls, which are standard in submarine operations.
Insider reached out to both OceanGate and McCallum for comment, but received no response.
The ill-fated Titan submersible, piloted by a modified Logitech gamepad controller, lost communication with its surface ship and later imploded, resulting in the tragic deaths of all five people on board.
In addition to McCallum’s concerns, other individuals who worked at or closely with OceanGate also expressed worries about safety. David Lochridge, former director of marine operations, claimed he was fired for raising safety concerns about the Titan. The company’s former finance director also quit after Rush asked her to become the chief pilot of the Titan despite lacking experience in operating submersibles.
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