Wed Sep 18 14:12:55 UTC 2024: ## Former OceanGate Employee Claims Titan Submersible Tragedy Was “Inevitable”
**Washington D.C.** – A former operations director for OceanGate, David Lochridge, has testified before the Coast Guard that the implosion of the Titan submersible, which killed five people in June 2023, was “inevitable” and “just a matter of time.”
Lochridge, who was hired in 2015 to work on the Titan, claimed that he repeatedly clashed with CEO Stockton Rush over safety concerns, and was ultimately fired after being labelled a “troublemaker.” He accused Rush of having a “total disregard for safety,” prioritizing profit over proper engineering and safety procedures.
Lochridge described a company culture that prioritized speed and profit over safety, with Rush “liking to do things on the cheap.” He claimed Rush refused to consult experts about the design, and pushed for manned safety tests of the prototype despite Lochridge’s belief that the hull was “an absolute mess.”
The former director pointed to the Titan’s unusual design, including its carbon fiber hull, which was not reviewed by independent parties as standard practice in the industry. He highlighted that the hull, typically made of titanium, was weakening with each dive.
Lochridge’s testimony echoed that of other former OceanGate employees, who described a volatile and rushed environment. He stated that he felt pressured to work on the project despite his reservations and was ultimately terminated for raising concerns about safety.
Lochridge’s claims add weight to the growing criticism of OceanGate’s practices and raise serious questions about the future of private undersea exploration. The Coast Guard is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the Titan’s implosion.
First Piper 