David Lochridge, the former Director of Marine Operations at Oceangate, has come forward as a whistleblower, claiming that safety concerns he raised were systematically ignored prior to the Titan submersible's tragedy in June 2023. This calamity involved the implosion of the sub during a dive to the Titanic wreck, resulting in the death of all five people onboard, including Oceangate’s CEO, Stockton Rush.
Lochridge was dismissed from the company in 2018 after warning about deficient equipment and safety risks. He expressed deep concern over the design and construction of the Titan, especially after Oceangate opted to forgo independent safety certification. "There is so much that could have been done differently. People were sold a lie," he stated to the BBC.
With a career spanning over 25 years in maritime operations, Lochridge had high hopes for Oceangate when he joined in 2011. However, doubts began to surface in 2016 when he noticed issues in the hull construction of the submersible. He discovered visible defects in the carbon fibre hull and improper machining of titanium components.
Despite Lochridge’s objections, Oceangate accelerated operations, leading him to contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2018. Although OSHA acknowledged his complaint's urgency regarding public safety, subsequent interactions led to a frustrating lack of progress. The whistleblower alleged that OSHA's slow response compromised the investigation.
After a series of legal battles with Oceangate, Lochridge withdrew his OSHA complaint, feeling exhausted from the pressure. This resignation allowed Oceangate to continue with its Titanic dive plans, which tragically culminated in the May 2023 incident.
The fallout from the disaster has led to public hearings where Lochridge criticized OSHA for its inadequate response. A US Coast Guard report later confirmed flaws in both Oceangate's operations and OSHA's handling of Lochridge's warnings. The investigation highlighted that better coordination between agencies could have possibly averted the tragedy.
In the wake of the incident, Oceangate has ceased operations and is cooperating with ongoing inquiries, while Lochridge continues advocating for improved safety measures in deep-sea exploration.
