Karl Stanley, a former passenger on the ill-fated Titan submersible, has made startling revelations about OceanGate’s late CEO, Stockton Rush. Stanley claims that Rush was fully aware of the potential risks involved in the Titan craft expeditions, despite which he continued to forge ahead with what Stanley termed a “mousetrap for billionaires.”
A Warning Ignored
In a recent interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Stanley, who considered Rush a friend and had joined him on a dive in the Bahamas back in 2019, disclosed that he had privately cautioned Rush about the dangers associated with using carbon fibre and titanium in the submersible’s construction. Tragically, this warning came to light following the deaths of five people, including Rush, during a trip to explore the RMS Titanic wreckage in June.
Disastrous Outcome and Mechanical Failure
During the interview, Stanley emphasised that he firmly believed that the mechanical failure during the Titan’s final expedition was related to issues with the carbon fibre tube. Evidence from images of the wreckage showed the presence of structural titanium rings at the front and rear of the submersible, leading experts to speculate that the carbon fibre tube’s collapse resulted from extreme water pressure at the accident’s depth.
Ongoing Investigation by International Agencies
The incident’s investigation is currently being undertaken by multiple authorities, including the US Coast Guard, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, and the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch. The international agencies are working together to uncover the events that led to the submersible’s implosion and the subsequent fatalities.
Desperate Attempts to Convey Concerns
Prior to the tragedy, Stanley had expressed his concerns to Rush via email, desperately trying to highlight what he perceived as potential defects in the submersible’s hull. Stanley heard ominous “cracking” sounds during his venture on the sub, and his emails indicated that he feared the sub might “fail catastrophically.”
Alleged Dismissal and Criticism
Despite Stanley’s efforts to convey his concerns, Rush reportedly dismissed them as “uninformed accusations from industry pundits.” Stanley believed that these dismissive responses only fueled Rush’s determination to proceed with the submersible’s risky expeditions.
The entire incident has raised serious questions about the safety measures taken during high-profile submersible expeditions, particularly in light of the loss of lives and the alleged awareness of potential risks by OceanGate’s late CEO. As the investigation unfolds, the world awaits answers and accountability for this tragic event.
