David Lochridge, the former operations director at OceanGate, has stated that the tragic implosion of the Titan submersible could have been avoided if the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had investigated his safety concerns. Lochridge raised multiple warnings regarding the Titan’s safety before its final, fatal voyage to the Titanic wreck in June 2023, which resulted in the deaths of all five crew members onboard.
Lochridge Blames OSHA for Not Investigating Safety Concerns
Lochridge testified on Tuesday before a commission investigating the cause of the Titan’s implosion. He expressed disappointment that OSHA failed to follow up on his complaint, which he had filed eight months before the tragedy. Lochridge believes that had OSHA taken his concerns seriously, the incident could have been averted. “I feel deeply disappointed by the system meant to protect seafarers and the public,” he said.
Lochridge also shared that he was told by an OSHA caseworker that his complaint had not been investigated due to 11 other cases ahead of his. By the time the investigation had been dropped, OceanGate had filed a lawsuit against Lochridge, which he countered with a legal challenge. Both lawsuits were eventually dismissed. “I gave them nothing, they gave me nothing,” Lochridge remarked.
Clashes Within OceanGate and Company’s Priorities
Lochridge’s testimony revealed the strained relationships within OceanGate, particularly with its co-founder Stockton Rush. He frequently clashed with Rush, feeling that the company prioritized financial gain over safety and scientific research. Lochridge described his role in the company as a means to give OceanGate’s projects a semblance of scientific credibility, while he was merely used as a “show pony” for promotional talks and presentations. He expressed his dissatisfaction with being marketed for the project “for people to come up and pay money.”
Safety Concerns and Lack of Confidence in Titan’s Design
Lochridge pointed to a 2018 report where he had raised multiple safety issues about the Titan and other OceanGate operations. Reflecting on the submersible’s construction, Lochridge said he had no confidence whatsoever in the vessel’s design, making it clear that he would never have signed off on the project.
Pressure to Launch the Titan and the Company’s Troubled History
OceanGate, which had been under pressure to launch the Titan quickly, faced several internal challenges. Former employees, including Tony Nissen, the company’s former engineering director, testified about the pressure they faced to get the vessel ready for expeditions. Nissen refused to pilot the submersible on a previous trip, citing safety concerns. Bonnie Carl, OceanGate’s former finance and HR director, backed Lochridge’s claim that the Titan was deemed “unsafe” by several employees within the company.
Titan’s Final Dive and the Aftermath
On June 18, 2023, during its final dive to the Titanic wreck site, the Titan lost communication with the support ship, Polar Prince. The crew sent a final message stating “all good here,” but shortly after, the submersible imploded. The wreckage was later found 330 yards from the Titanic’s bow, around 435 miles south of St. John’s, Newfoundland. This tragic incident has sparked global discussions about the future of private undersea exploration and the safety regulations that govern it.
OceanGate suspended its operations after the incident, and the investigation continues to unravel the multiple warnings and internal pressures that led to the disaster.
