First Image of Titan Submersible Wreckage Revealed at Hearing into Tragic Implosion

he U.S. Coast Guard has revealed the first image of the wreckage of the Titan submersible, which tragically imploded during a deep-sea expedition last year. The photo, shared on Monday at the start of a hearing into the disaster, shows the sub’s broken tail cone resting on the ocean floor, several hundred yards from the Titanic wreckage in the North Atlantic.

The Titan, operated by OceanGate, lost all five passengers in June 2023 after a catastrophic failure during a dive to explore the Titanic. Among those who perished were OceanGate’s founder and CEO Stockton Rush, adventurer Hamish Harding, businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman, and veteran French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

Investigators confirmed the vessel’s remains were found on June 22, 2023, using a remotely operated vehicle. This provided “conclusive evidence” of a sudden implosion caused by the extreme pressures at such depths. DNA testing matched the remains to the five victims.

The Marine Board of Investigation, convened in North Charleston, South Carolina, is leading the inquiry, which will run until September 27. The board called its first witnesses, including former OceanGate employees, as they seek to uncover the events leading to the disaster. The sub’s final message, sent just six seconds before losing contact, read: “Dropped two wts,” referring to weights it had jettisoned in an effort to ascend.

The hearing aims to examine factors such as regulatory compliance, crew qualifications, mechanical failures, and emergency response protocols. Board chair Jason Neubauer stated that while the main focus is on uncovering the facts, the investigation may also consider possible negligence or misconduct and make recommendations to the Department of Justice if criminal activity is identified.