A new Netflix documentary sheds light on the June 2023 implosion of the Titan submersible, which was en route to the Titanic wreck when it tragically killed all five people on board.
“Titan: The OceanGate Disaster” examines ignored warnings about the submersible’s design. David Lochridge, the chief submersible pilot, warned the company’s CEO about safety risks but was fired after formally raising his concerns.
Lochridge told the “TODAY” show that nothing on the vessel was safe, prompting him to document his worries in a quality inspection report, which led to his dismissal during a lengthy boardroom meeting. His role involved helping build the submersible and piloting paying customers—who each paid $250,000—to the wreck site. Lochridge’s concerns focused on the carbon fiber construction, which he believed was unsafe for deep-sea dives. He also filed a federal whistleblower complaint and lawsuit to alert the public.
The submersible vanished on June 18 after a “catastrophic implosion.” Those who died included OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, experienced Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British tycoon Hamish Harding, and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood with his son Suleman. OceanGate expressed condolences and announced it has permanently ceased operations, cooperating fully with ongoing investigations by the Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board. The documentary premieres Wednesday on Netflix.
