On Monday, former engineering director Phil Brooks testified that OceanGate, the company behind the Titan submersible, was experiencing financial difficulties in the months leading up to its fatal implosion. Brooks, who left the company in February 2023, revealed that management had requested him to continue working without pay and that decisions were being made based on the company’s financial situation, compromising safety. He had suggested postponing a voyage due to safety concerns but was overruled because customers had already paid.
Brooks raised issues regarding the semisubmersible launch platform used to deploy and recover the Titan, stating it was too dangerous given the rough sea conditions off Newfoundland. Maintenance work had to be done on a small platform in heavy swells, which he eventually refused to do. He also suspected potential cracking in the Titan’s pressure hull and wanted to return it for inspection, but this was deemed too costly.
Testimonies revealed that CEO Stockton Rush chose not to have the Titan’s design classed, which could have been problematic due to the absence of regulations for carbon fiber submarines. A senior engineer noted that carbon fiber is not approved for submersible hulls due to its sudden failure characteristics and other material degradation issues.
OceanGate’s business model also faced scrutiny, with co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein noting conflicting views from Coast Guard officials regarding whether the company operated as a passenger-for-hire service. To fund its operations, OceanGate classified paying customers as “mission specialists” to circumvent strict regulations. Sohnlein acknowledged past rulings that forced the company to cease operations in Florida, highlighting the challenges of operating a deep-diving sub in U.S. waters due to regulatory hurdles.
While some former employees emphasized financial motivations, Sohnlein maintained that OceanGate’s mission was to provide greater access to the ocean. He stepped down as CEO in 2012 but still holds a minority stake in the company.
