Reflections on the Titanic Sub Implosion

After several days of anxious waiting and anticipation, people were met with the unfortunate news: during the deep-sea exploration of the Titanic wreckage, the remains of the “Titan” submarine were discovered in the North Atlantic by a remotely operated vehicle, and it has been confirmed that the five people on board the submarine have died.

Currently, only partial wreckage of the Titan submarine has been discovered in the deep sea, and the bodies of the victims have not been found. Preliminary analysis suggests that the submarine encountered intense pressure while diving, causing it to be crushed and resulting in a sudden explosion due to pressure differentials inside the submarine. The implosion likely occurred near the vicinity of the Titanic wreckage, in the direction the submarine was heading. The exact timing of the implosion is yet to be determined.

/Canadian maritime patrol aircraft are conducting search operations for the Titanic in the Atlantic near Newfoundland Island.

Tragedy Repeats 

The “Titan” Submersible, which had descended for approximately 1h45min, lost contact with surface vessels. Teams from the U.S., Canada, France, and the United Kingdom spent several days scanning large areas of the open sea in search of the Titan until the wreckage of the submersible was discovered approximately 488 meters from the bow of the Titanic on the seabed of the North Atlantic. Rear Admiral John Mogg of the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that the submersible had descended to a depth of 4 kilometers below the surface and publicly announced that the discovered remnants of the Titan were consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure hull.

The five individuals aboard the Titan included Stockton Rush, the founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the company operating the submersible, who personally piloted the vessel. The other individuals were Hamish Harding, a 58-year-old British billionaire and adventurer; Shahzada Dawood, a 48-year-old Pakistani-born businessman, and his 19-year-old son, Salman, both British citizens; and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a 77-year-old French marine scientist.

Although the backgrounds of the five individuals varied, their common bond was a love for exploration. The youngest victim, 19-year-old Salman, embarked on this adventure to celebrate Father’s Day with his father, Dawood, only to tragically not return. OceanGate’s CEO, Rush, had aspired to the field of space exploration in his early years and became the youngest-ever pilot in global aviation at the age of 19. He also served as a test flight engineer for American-made F-15 fighter jets. However, his passion for deep-sea exploration grew stronger, captivated by the beauty of the Titanic wreckage. Hamish Harding, a former British Airways captain, holds three Guinness World Records for the fastest flights around the Earth’s poles, the longest distance traveled underwater, and the longest time spent underwater. As for Nargeolet, his connection to the Titanic runs deep. Having served in the French Navy for 25 years, he embarked on numerous expeditions to remote locations and dived to the Titanic wreck over 30 times, overseeing the recovery of around 5,500 items from the sunken ship.

In recent years, “Dark Tourism” has gained popularity in Europe and America, referring to the phenomenon of people traveling to sites of disasters or tragedies in hopes of gaining a deeper appreciation for life and its preciousness. Those who participate in such tourism are often true adventurers, possessing a unique spirit of exploration and a strong passion for discovering and preserving the world. Unfortunately, similar to the fate of the Titanic a century ago, the “Titan” Submersible, which set out to explore its wreckage at the depths of the ocean, encountered a similar tragedy, evoking deep sorrow.

Call for Enhanced Regulation

Following the tragic incident involving the Titanic submarine, which claimed the lives of five individuals, questions have been raised about the safety regulations surrounding deep-sea exploration. According to reports by Reuters, concerns regarding the safety of the Titanic submarine were raised during a 2018 industry expert seminar and a lawsuit filed by the former maritime operations director of OceanGate Expeditions, the company operating the submarine. The lawsuit was later settled. Several individuals who declined to board the ill-fated submarine expressed their reservations about the subpar equipment of the tourist submarine and cited safety concerns as their reason for opting out.

Professor Stefan Williams, an expert in marine robotics at the University of Sydney, emphasized the need for stronger regulation and a better understanding of the design, manufacturing, and certification processes for such submarines to ensure their safe operation in deep-sea environments. Michael Guillen, a scientist and journalist who survived a previous underwater expedition in 2000 after being trapped in the ship’s propeller, called for a pause and reflection, questioning the motives behind visiting the Titanic wreck and how to ensure a safe journey to the site.

Renowned Hollywood director James Cameron, whose Oscar-winning film “Titanic” was inspired by the real-life story of the luxury liner’s sinking in the North Atlantic in 1912, spoke out against the submarine’s design and manufacturing company, OceanGate Expeditions, accusing them of disregarding safety warnings and refusing to subject the deep-sea submersible to standardized testing and certification by third-party organizations. Cameron lent his support to the implementation of regulations that would enforce mandatory safety certifications for submarines.

Currently, most manned tourist submarines operate at depths of up to 500 meters, exploring natural underwater landscapes such as coral reefs. However, the wreckage of the Titanic lies at a depth of over 3,800 meters. Will Kohnen, chairman of the Marine Technology Society’s committee on manned submersibles, stated that there are only around 10 submarines worldwide with the capability to reach such depths, and the Titanic submarine is the only one among them that has not undergone certification by regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Coast Guard or the European DNV. Guillermo Söhnlein, who co-founded OceanGate Expeditions with Stockton Rush in 2009 but left the company four years later, defended Rush against accusations of recklessness, asserting that it is premature to speculate on the causes of the Titanic submersible’s incident and highlighting the challenges of establishing globally applicable industry standards for deep-sea submersibles. The incident involving the Titanic submersible may lead to strengthened regulations; however, governing the vast oceans, especially in international waters, poses significant challenges in implementing uniform standards.

Tourism or Exploration?

After the incident, there have been opinions suggesting that wealthy tourists should not be allowed to enjoy this type of dangerous travel and demanding more government regulation. Describing this exploration as an exclusive activity for the wealthy is not accurate. It is true that globalization has allowed many people to travel and visit different parts of the world, bringing economic benefits to many countries. However, the activities of the Titanic expedition are clearly not enjoyable tourism. It is unlikely that anyone would consider it a pleasant experience to be cramped in a barely movable compartment with four other passengers. Wealthy individuals who can afford to spend $250,000 on a trip are not viewing their participation in the Titanic expedition as a vacation. What they seek is an expansion into the unknown realms of humanity, and they are willing to take risks to embark on such an endeavor.

The participants fully understand the risks they are undertaking and the challenging conditions they will face. Most ordinary people may not comprehend the learning, experiences, and insights they will gain in these environments. It is similar to how we do not know why Christopher Columbus sought funding from various European kings to embark on a journey westward in search of a route to India. However, Columbus discovered America, establishing human civilization and inspiring many others. Subsequently, Ferdinand Magellan circumnavigated the globe, proving that we live on a sphere rather than a flat plane, and Captain James Cook discovered the Australian continent, opening up possibilities for immigration to Australia.

Likewise, human exploration of the moon has not only allowed us to understand the mysteries of space but has also led to countless inventions and advancements in technology and astronomy that have improved human life. It is evident that the spirit of exploration plays a significant role in the development of human society.

Eternal Spirit of Exploration

Exploration comes with a cost. The experiences gained from such ventures, often marked by sacrifices, provide valuable lessons for reflection and growth. In the aftermath of the incident, it is essential to conduct investigations to identify the underlying issues, learn from the tragedy, and move forward. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has announced that transportation regulatory bodies in the U.S. and Canada will initiate an investigation into the accident that resulted in the explosion and deaths of five individuals aboard the tourist submarine “Titan.” Similar to space exploration, deep-sea exploration will not come to a halt due to a single accident.

The adventurous spirit of Westerners can be seen as a result of their survival mode, which encourages them to engage in risky endeavours. European countries, due to geographical and climatic factors, cannot sustain their survival needs independently and must expand their horizons through external exploration to compensate for the gaps in their survival patterns. The external world presents significant uncertainties and even dangers, which require the encouragement of an adventurous spirit. The Western tolerance and encouragement of daring adventures, sometimes bordering on madness, provide fertile ground for the adventurous spirit to thrive. This helps explain why, during the Age of Discovery, explorers embarked on perilous journeys with mortality rates as high as 40% to discover new routes, despite the risks involved. In contrast, China at the time, although possessing advanced technological capabilities, naturally relinquished the opportunity for extensive maritime exploration due to its favourable geographical conditions and the fulfilment of its basic survival needs.

However, it is not entirely accurate to perceive Chinese people as unwilling to take risks or lacking great exploration endeavours. In ancient China, there were individuals with a strong spirit of exploration, seeking to discover the unknown and spread civilization. Confucius travelled throughout the states, Zhang Qian opened up the Silk Road, Xuanzang’s journey to India, Jianzhen sailed to Japan, Zheng He conducted seven voyages to the West, and we must not overlook the remarkable Xu Xiake, who spent over thirty years traversing the land, immersing himself in nature, documenting his experiences, and leaving behind the existing masterpiece, “Xu Xiake’s Travel Notes,” comprising over six hundred thousand words. These ancestors, who wrote great legends with their own feet, embody the spirit of exploration. The continued progress of human civilization is a testament to the fact that the spirit of exploration is deeply ingrained in human nature. From coming down from trees and walking upright, to venturing beyond Africa and now exploring outer space and the deep sea, it is evident that the desire to seek and understand what lies beyond our own knowledge is deeply rooted in the human genetic makeup. Therefore, regardless of who we are, there is always an inherent desire deep within us to pursue knowledge that surpasses our own understanding.

The Attraction of the Titanic

The Titanic is a ship of significant historical importance, and its sinking had a profound impact worldwide. It was touted as unsinkable, yet it met its fate on its maiden voyage when it struck an iceberg. The story has been depicted in numerous successful films, captivating audiences globally and fostering a special fascination and fantasy surrounding this sunken ship. It is the dream of many to have a firsthand experience before the Titanic succumbs to corrosion by the sea.

The five adventurers of the Titanic expedition hoped to witness and understand this piece of history firsthand, preserving its precious legacy for future generations. However, the cost of this exploration was paid with their lives, yet it will undoubtedly open up new frontiers, unknown risks, and avenues for further exploration. This expedition goes beyond mere adventure tourism; it encompasses scientific research and deep-sea exploration. Whether venturing into outer space or diving into ocean trenches, the relentless pursuit of the unknown, driven by a passion and courage to push limits, is the fundamental driving force behind the continuous progress of human civilization. While the five adventurers rest in the depths of the ocean, their spirits endure in the world.