Unanswered Questions Surrounding the OceanGate's Titan Tragedy??

 

The loss of OceanGate's Titan submersible and its five-person crew during their dive has set off a torrent of questions without answers. The cause of the implosion of the OceanGate's Titan submersible that led to the loss of the vessel and its five-person crew is still unknown.

The US Navy detected an implosion and informed rescuers, but the reason behind the implosion is yet to be determined. The article explores some of the safety concerns raised by the tragedy, including the declining of a safety review of the Titan by OceanGate Expeditions, the mechanical problems faced by the company, and the alleged disregard for regulatory processes.

What were the mechanical problems faced by OceanGate in the past?

OceanGate Expeditions faced a series of mechanical problems and inclement weather conditions that forced the cancellation or delays of trips in recent years, according to court records. Some expeditions were delayed after OceanGate was forced to rebuild the Titan’s hull because it showed “cyclic fatigue” and wouldn’t be able to travel deep enough to reach the Titanic’s wreckage. The company also faced a battery issue on one of its dives, which led to “sustained modest damage to its external components.” 

What is the impact of cyclic fatigue on submersibles?

Cyclic fatigue is a phenomenon that occurs when a material is subjected to repeat loading and unloading, causing it to weaken and eventually fail. In the case of submersibles, cyclic fatigue can have a significant impact on their structural integrity, especially when they are subjected to high pressures and extreme conditions in deep-sea environments. This can lead to cracks and other defects that can compromise the safety.

What were the specific mechanical problems that caused delays or cancellations of OceanGate's past trips?

OceanGate Expeditions faced several mechanical problems and inclement weather conditions that forced the cancellation or delays of trips in recent years. Some of the specific mechanical problems faced by the company include:

·    Rebuilding the Titan's hull due to "cyclic fatigue" that prevented it from traveling deep enough to reach the Titanic's wreckage.

·    A battery issue on one of its dives that led to "sustained modest damage to its external components."

·    Delays caused by weather and lightning that prevented the company from completing a series of tests.

These mechanical problems and delays have raised concerns about the safety of OceanGate's submersibles and the company's adherence to regulatory processes.

Lawsuits face by Ocaengate in past?

OceanGate Expeditions, the company behind the submersible that went missing during an excursion to the site of the Titanic, has faced several lawsuits and complaints in the past. Some of the lawsuits filed against the company include:

A lawsuit filed by a Central Florida couple who invested over $200,000 in an expedition to the Titanic wreck site but never went on the voyage due to delays and cancellations. The couple alleged fraud and demanded a full refund, but the company refused to give them one

A lawsuit filed by a former employee who alleged he was fired for raising concerns about quality control and testing of potential flaws in the same experimental submersible that went missing during the recent excursion. 

The former employee claimed that the company's CEO tasked him to conduct a quality control inspection to ensure the safety of all crew and clients during the submersible and surface operations of the experimental vessel. The lawsuit was settled out of court in November 2018

These lawsuits and complaints have raised concerns about the safety and regulatory compliance of OceanGate's submersibles and expeditions.