The U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation has concluded that the implosion of the Titan submersible during a Titanic expedition in June 2023 was preventable. The long-awaited 300-plus-page report identifies multiple failures in design, maintenance, and oversight that culminated in a tragedy claiming five lives.
“This marine casualty and the loss of five lives was preventable,” said Jason Neubauer, the Titan MBI chair, in a statement accompanying the report. “The two-year investigation has identified multiple contributing factors… and I am optimistic the ROI’s findings and recommendations will help improve awareness of the risks and the importance of proper oversight while still providing a pathway for innovation.”
According to the investigation, the fault lies at the feet of Titan operator OceanGate for inadequate hull design, inconsistent inspection and maintenance protocols, and a leadership culture that discourages safety concerns. The vessel’s carbon-fiber hull was found to be structurally compromised, warning signs were reportedly ignored, and data from earlier missions was left unanalyzed prior to the fatal dive.
The report also determined deficiencies in the existing regulatory landscape for novel submersibles. Gaps include insufficient documentation requirements and inconsistent classification of deep-sea diving vessels under the Oceanographic Research Vessel label.
In response, the report includes 17 formal recommendations—for both U.S. and international bodies—to strengthen safety protocols. These range from mandating Coast Guard documentation and dive plan reviews, to expanding international standards through the International Maritime Organization, and improving whistleblower protections under maritime law.
For those looking to read the full Coast Guard findings, the complete Report of Investigation is publicly available here.
