James Cameron’s Close Call: Russian Pilot Nearly Takes Him and the Titanic Submarine to the Depths of Death

• James Cameron had a near-death experience while exploring the Titanic wreckage in a submersible with a Russian pilot.
• During the filming of “Titanic” in 1995, Cameron’s vessel was grounded by an underwater sandstorm.
• With the battery running low, a Russian pilot skillfully maneuvered the vessel to safety.

“Titanic” director James Cameron had a brush with death in 1995 while exploring the shipwreck for his iconic movie. According to Radio Canada, Cameron recounted the experience in his biography titled “The Futurist” by Rebecca Keegan. Despite the inherent dangers, Cameron has made numerous trips to the Titanic wreckage.

The renowned “Avatar” director has been vocal about the safety risks of submersible dives, particularly in light of the tragic deaths of five individuals attempting to reach the Titanic on OceanGate’s Titan submersible.

During the third submersible dive for the filming of “Titanic,” Cameron found himself facing perilous conditions alongside Russian pilot Dr. Anatoly Sagalevich and a Russian engineer. A sandstorm caused by currents from the Titanic’s shipwreck grounded their vessel on the ocean floor. Cameron vividly recalled the tense moment when they realized their predicament, but thanks to the expertise of the Russian pilot, they escaped unscathed.

In freezing temperatures with a dwindling battery, Cameron and his crew tried twice to ascend, only to be pushed back down by powerful deep-sea currents. On their third attempt, after half an hour of being stranded, they managed to navigate away from the sandstorm and safely resurface.