Guillermo Sohnlein, co-founder of OceanGate, the company behind the ill-fated Titan submersible, described the ambitious vision that inspired the company’s creation. Speaking to the U.S. Coast Guard, Sohnlein said the goal was to build a fleet of deep-diving submersibles that could carry five people to depths of 6,500 yards, without the need for a dedicated mothership. This vision was rooted in a desire to “give humanity greater access to the ocean, specifically the deep ocean.”
Despite these grand aspirations, Sohnlein departed from the company before the Titan tragedy in June 2023, in which five people, including OceanGate’s CEO Stockton Rush, perished when the submersible imploded. Although Sohnlein left years before the disaster, he has defended the company’s efforts, even as the investigation into the implosion raises questions about the company’s practices.
Former OceanGate operations director David Lochridge testified that the company’s focus shifted towards profit rather than scientific exploration. He often clashed with Rush over safety concerns, stating, “The whole idea behind the company was to make money.” Witnesses, including former engineering director Phil Brooks, are expected to testify as the hearing unfolds.
The Titan catastrophe has sparked a global discussion about the prospects for commercial underwater research. The submersible’s unusual design attracted criticism because it hadn’t been subjected to an independent evaluation. On June 18, 2023, Titan lost communication with the Polar Prince, its support ship, during its last dive. Later, wreckage was discovered 12,000 feet deep, close to the Titanic, and without any survivors. Since then, the catastrophe has sparked legal action, with the family of veteran Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who was among those slain, filing a $50 million wrongful death claim. While suspending operations, OceanGate is still assisting with the ongoing investigations.
