Wed Sep 18 08:51:48 UTC 2024: ## Former OceanGate Employee Testifies Titan Tragedy Could Have Been Prevented

**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – David Lochridge, OceanGate’s former director of marine operations, testified on Tuesday that the fatal implosion of the Titan submersible last year could have been prevented if federal safety authorities had investigated his concerns about the vessel’s safety.

Lochridge, who filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) about OceanGate’s safety practices, said he was deeply disappointed that OSHA did not investigate his concerns. “I believe that if OSHA had attempted to investigate the seriousness of the concerns I raised on multiple occasions, this tragedy may have been prevented,” he stated before a commission investigating the Titan disaster.

Lochridge’s testimony echoed that of other former employees who described OceanGate as a company focused on profit over safety. He said he frequently clashed with company co-founder Stockton Rush, who he characterized as prioritizing financial gain over scientific research.

Lochridge, a veteran engineer and submersible pilot, raised concerns about the Titan’s design and construction, citing his lack of confidence in the vessel’s safety. He also detailed high employee turnover and a company culture that dismissed safety concerns in favor of rapid deployment and profit.

OceanGate, which suspended operations after the Titan implosion, has denied any wrongdoing. The company said in a statement that it has been fully cooperating with investigations by the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board.

The Marine Board of Investigation, which is conducting the highest level of marine casualty investigation, is expected to hear from numerous witnesses, including OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein and former scientific director Steven Ross.

This tragic event has sparked a worldwide debate about the future of private undersea exploration and has highlighted the importance of safety protocols and independent oversight in such ventures.

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