"OceanGate Titan Sub CEO Once Declared: 'No One is Dying Under My Watch'"
A newly released transcript from a 2018 meeting involving Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, has shed light on a troubling exchange, four years before the catastrophic Titan submersible implosion in June 2023. During the meeting, Rush emphatically stated, “No one is dying under my watch.” This declaration, which was aimed at dispelling safety concerns raised by former OceanGate Director of Marine Operations, David Lochridge, now carries a haunting irony.
Lochridge had voiced significant doubts about the Titan's design and construction, particularly focusing on the sub's carbon fiber hull, which he believed was not up to the rigorous demands of deep-sea exploration. His quality inspection report pointed out several safety risks that could lead to serious consequences. However, Rush was adamant that his submersible was safe. He reassured the team, expressing confidence that he understood the risks and had taken all necessary precautions. He even spoke about his personal reasons for staying safe, mentioning his granddaughter and his determination to avoid failure as a company.
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Yet, Lochridge’s concerns were dismissed during the meeting, and he was subsequently fired. He later took the issue to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), but his case was ultimately dropped after legal pressure from OceanGate. Reflecting on the matter after the 2023 disaster, Lochridge testified at a public inquiry that, had authorities acted on his warnings earlier, the tragedy could have been prevented.
The implosion of the Titan submersible in June 2023, during a descent to explore the Titanic wreck, claimed the lives of all five passengers, including Rush himself. Investigations are ongoing, with many revelations coming to light, including multiple technical failures during previous dives. The US Coast Guard also disclosed images showing damage to the sub from earlier missions, reinforcing the growing concerns about its safety.
While the inquiry into what went wrong continues, Stockton Rush's earlier words and dismissal of safety warnings serve as a chilling reminder of the risks involved in deep-sea exploration and the tragic cost of ignoring caution.
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