POLAR PRINCE

Allgemeine Informationen

Kurs/Position

Die neuesten Nachrichten

U.S.C.G. Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) released Report of Investigation (ROI) into loss of submersible Titan

The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) has released its Report of Investigation (ROI) on Aug 5 on the loss of the submersible 'Titan', which imploded during a June 2023 dive to the wreck of the 'Titanic', killing five people, after having been deployed from the 'Polar Prince' on June 18, 2023. The more than 300-page ROI outlines key findings and contributing factors in the casualty and includes 17 safety recommendations aimed at strengthening oversight of submersible operations, improving coordination among federal agencies and closing gaps in international maritime policy. The two-year investigation has identified multiple contributing factors that led to this tragedy, providing valuable lessons learned to prevent a future occurrence. There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework. The board determined the primary contributing factors were OceanGate’s inadequate design, certification, maintenance and inspection process for the Titan. Other factors cited in the report include a toxic workplace culture at OceanGate, an inadequate domestic and international regulatory framework for submersible operations and vessels of novel design, and an ineffective whistleblower process under the Seaman’s Protection Act. The board also found OceanGate failed to properly investigate and address known hull anomalies following its 2022 Titanic expedition. Investigators determined the Titan’s real-time monitoring system generated data that should have been analyzed and acted on during the 2022 'Titanic' expedition. However, OceanGate did not take any action related to the data, conduct any preventative maintenance or properly store the Titan during the extended off season before its 2023 'Titanic' expedition. The MBI recommendations included restricting the Oceanographic Research Vessel designations for submersibles, expanding federal and international requirements to all submersibles conducting scientific or commercial dives and requiring Coast Guard documentation for all U.S. submersibles. The board also recommended adding Coast Guard personnel capacity at Coast Guard Headquarters to support new construction oversight and field inspections involving submersibles and vessels of novel design. Further recommendations included requiring operators to submit dive and emergency response plans to the local Coast Guard officer in charge, marine inspection; evaluating the Coast Guard’s subsea search and rescue capabilities; and working with the International Maritime Organization to define passenger submersibles and expand international safety requirements for submersibles operating on the high seas. The board also called for a new Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Coast Guard agreement to clarify whistleblower investigative protocols and improve interagency coordination. The Marine Board's report is now under review by the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Upon completion of the review, the Commandant will issue a Final Action Memorandum confirming the U.S. Coast Guard's position on the recommendations and any actions to be pursued. Report with link to ROI: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4265651/coast-guard-marine-board-of-investigation-releases-report-on-titan-submersible/

Footage of USCG captured sound of Titan submersible imploding

Footage released by the US Coast Guard has captured the sound of the submersible 'Titan' imploding during its last journey to the wreck of the 'Titanic' in June 2023. Wendy Rush, the wife of OceanGate's chief executive Stockton Rush, asked "what was that bang?" as she unknowingly heard the moment the 'Titan' cracked. The USCG believes the noise - which sounded like a door slamming - was the sound of the implosion reaching the surface of the ocean.. The footage released by the US Coast Guard (USCG) shows her, attempting to contact those on board the vessel during its final descent wiith operator and OceanGate founder Mr Rush, British adventurer Hamish Harding, French deep sea explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman on board. In the footage, OceanGate director Mrs Rush and colleague Gary Foss can be seen, tracking the 'Titan's descent, from the 'Polar Prince'. Moments later, Mrs Rush receives a message from the sub saying it had dropped two weights. The team assumed the 'Titan' was continuing its descent, but investigators would later believe the delayed message was sent prior to the sub failing. The footage has been presented as evidence to the USCG Marine Board of Investigation as part of its probe into the incident. A final report will be released following its completion. OceanGate suspended all exploration and commercial operations in July 2023. Report with video: https://news.sky.com/story/ship-footage-captures-sound-of-titan-submersible-imploding-13373147

Crew of Polar Prince felt shudder when Titan imploded

The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the crew aboard the 'Polar Prince', supporting the 'Titan', felt a shudder when the submersible imploded deep underwater. The five passengers aboard the sub were killed instantly: Stockton Rush, the co-founder and CEO of the sub's maker, OceanGate, French explorer Paul Henri Nargeolet, British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman. The statement was provided to the board, when the master was asked if he or crew members heard anything indicating the OceanGate submersible imploded: "The answer from the master was, 'With the benefit of hindsight, I now believe I felt the Polar Prince shudder at around the time communications were reportedly lost, but at the time, we thought nothing of it. It was slight,'" A former OceanGate employee testified during the hearing on Sep 28 that he resigned from the submersible company after Rush told him he would "buy a congressman" to make problems with its 'Titan' go away. Matthew McCoy was an active duty member of the U.S. Coast Guard prior to joining OceanGate as an operations technician in April 2017 as the company was building the first prototype, which was never used on Titanic dives. He said he quit six months later, in September 2017, a day after his conversation with Rush.