- Karl Stanley, a renowned submersible expert, detected cracking noises during a dive on the Titan in 2019.
- In an email to Stockton Rush, Stanley expressed concern that these noises could cause panic among paying customers.
- He strongly recommended more extensive testing of the submersible before allowing paying passengers onboard.
In an email exchange obtained by Insider, Karl Stanley, a distinguished submersible expert and friend of Stockton Rush, informed the CEO of OceanGate that if paying passengers were to hear the same cracking sounds he experienced during a dive on the Titan in 2019, it could potentially induce panic.
On June 18, the Titan, with Rush and four others aboard, went missing during a voyage to the Titanic shipwreck. The Coast Guard recently discovered pieces of the submersible, suggesting a catastrophic implosion and the loss of all lives on board. Human remains were also found.
Rush and his company have faced criticism for allegedly disregarding safety warnings from industry experts like Stanley.
During the 2019 dive off the coast of the Bahamas, Stanley raised concerns about the cracking noise and the structural integrity of the submersible in the emails.
In his correspondence with Rush, Stanley emphasized the necessity for extensive testing of the submersible before considering the transportation of paying passengers, who would pay six-figure amounts for a ticket.
“Let’s assume that by monitoring the hull noises, you can anticipate hull failure and react accordingly,” Stanley addressed Rush. “Even if your customers are willing to accept the sounds we heard and trust your explanations, can you guarantee three consecutive dives without encountering major system failures? You are not yet at that level of confidence.”
Upon request, Stanley did not provide an immediate comment regarding the matter.
It remains unclear whether the passengers on the Titan heard any noises prior to the catastrophic implosion. The submersible lost communication with its surface ship within two hours of the dive to the Titanic at a depth of 13,000 feet.
OceanGate has not issued a response to the request for comment.
James Cameron, a renowned director and submersible expert, speculates that the passengers were likely aware of the cracking in the hull due to sensors installed by OceanGate to detect such incidents.
“If that is their idea of safety, then they are approaching it incorrectly,” Cameron remarked.
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