June 17, 2026, 5:26 p.mJune 17, 2026, 5:26 p.m
Three years after the implosion of the deep-sea submersible “Titan” with five deaths, the Canadian transport safety authority TSB has made serious accusations against the operating company – and called for better international regulation and monitoring of such boats. The operating company “Oceangate” did not adequately test the design and construction of the “Titan”, according to an investigation report that was around 135 pages long.
The accident submarine.Image: Balazs Gardi/netflix
New damage appeared on the “Titan” with every dive, but the operating company was unable to respond appropriately due to its structure and “social and psychological factors” in management, among other things.
Days of searching for the submersible
The “Titan” went missing in June 2023 after setting off on an exploration tour of the “Titanic” wreck. The US Coast Guard, with the help of primarily Canadian forces, launched a large-scale search around 700 kilometers south of Newfoundland, which followed people around the world. Days after the disappearance, a diving robot discovered the rubble of the imploded boat almost 500 meters from the “Titanic” wreck.
Report: Information about the “Titan” was not passed on
There is not enough cooperation in Canada and around the world to regulate and monitor such submersibles, the report said. Although several authorities in Canada knew about the activities of the “Titan”, this information was not sufficiently shared among each other.
“If these gaps are not closed, there is a risk to life,” said TSB boss Yoan Marier – and called for better national and international cooperation in the regulation and monitoring of diving boats.
Five people died on board the “Titan”.
In addition to Oceangate boss Stockton Rush (61), the French scientist Paul-Henri Nargeolet (77), the British adventurer Hamish Harding (58), the British-Pakistani management consultant Shahzada Dawood (48) and his 19-year-old son Suleman died on board the “Titan”.
Several other authorities had already investigated the incident and, among other things, also found serious failings on the part of the operating company. (hkl/sda/dpa)