Coast Guard opens investigation into fatal Titan implosion
The U.S. Coast Guard has finished mapping the Titan submersible’s accident site and started an investigation into the implosion that killed five people that could ultimately recommend anything from new regulations on deep-sea diving to criminal charges for authorities to pursue.
Regulation
A Marine Board of Investigation, the highest level of inquiry within the Coast Guard, convened Friday and is in the early stages of its investigation, officials said during a Sunday news conference. The board will publish a public report that will include safety recommendations regarding submersibles, which many experts say could use tighter regulation.
To Avoid Death
Coast Guard Capt. Jason Neubauer will head the MBI’s inquiry into why the submersible imploded while descending to the Titanic wreck site in the North Atlantic — and what can be done in the future to avoid death.
MBI
“The MBI, however, is also responsible for accountability aspects of the incident, and it can make recommendations to the proper authorities to pursue civil or criminal sanctions as necessary. However, any subsequent enforcement activities wouldn’t be pursued under a separate investigation,” Neubauer said.
The board has started salvage operations and interviews, including with the crew of the Polar Prince — a Canadian-flagged vessel that Titan launched from — owned by Miawpukek Horizon Maritime Services.
In a statement after the Coast Guard investigation was announced, Horizon Maritime told The Washington Post that the company is cooperating fully with authorities and won’t comment publicly.
John Risley, who is on Maritime Horizon’s board of directors, said Friday that he believes there will be lessons to learn from the incident, but said he couldn’t speak for the company.
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