Titan Whistleblower Speaks Out: "A Deception From The Start"

David Lochridge, a whistleblower from Oceangate, details his worries about the Titan submersible's safety and design issues, expressing that he felt compelled to voice his concerns despite facing retaliation from the company. The US Coast Guard's report confirms Lochridge's allegations, indicating significant failures led to the disaster.

In a recent revelation following the 2023 Titan submersible tragedy, David Lochridge, a whistleblower and former director at Oceangate, has spoken candidly about his long-held safety concerns regarding the ill-fated vessel. It was in June 2023 that the submersible, carrying five individuals including Oceangate CEO Stockton Rush, tragically imploded during a dive to the Titanic wreck, leading Lochridge to assert, "People were sold a lie."

Having worked in marine operations for over 25 years, Lochridge's worries stemmed from his firsthand experience in the field. Despite being excited when he joined Oceangate in 2011, he soon expressed concerns about the safety of the Titan's design and construction, particularly after the company decided to handle the project internally rather than in collaboration with the University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory (APL).

Initially, the Titan was to utilize a carbon fiber hull, a material untried for such deep dives, which raised red flags for Lochridge. He was adamant that independent safety certification was critical due to the choice of experimental materials, but was left with significant doubts when Oceangate ceased its partnership with APL. Discrepancies in the hull’s construction became evident in 2016 when Lochridge discovered visible delamination and improperly machined titanium domes.

The director confronted Rush and other executives with his concerns. However, after submitting a report detailing his safety worries, he was abruptly dismissed from Oceangate in January 2018. Lochridge sought help through the US government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which categorized his complaint as urgent. Unfortunately, he faced retaliation from Oceangate, including a lawsuit accusing him of various misconducts.

Lochridge insisted that despite providing substantial documentation, OSHA failed to act promptly. The negative repercussions on him ultimately led to the withdrawal of his complaint. He asserted that had his claims been taken seriously and investigated, the tragic events might have been prevented.

Even after successful test dives in subsequent years that included deep explorations piloted by Rush, Lochridge continued to express doubts regarding the safety of the Titan until its fateful mission in June 2023. Now, with evidence from the Coast Guard report validating his claims of negligence in safety and testing protocols, he emphasizes the urgent need for authorities to improve how they handle whistleblower complaints within the maritime industry to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Oceangate has since ceased its operations and is cooperating with ongoing investigations following the disaster. However, Lochridge's reflections raise haunting questions about the governance of safety regulations on such perilous ventures.