The U.S. Coast Guard investigation reveals the last messages exchanged between the ill-fated Titan submersible and its support ship before losing contact.

People reported that the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation had disclosed the final communications from the Titan submersible during its fateful dive to the Titanic wreckage in June 2023.

The messages shared as part of an animated recreation of the dive shed light on the vessel's last moments before its catastrophic implosion. The hearing, which began on September 16, 2024, aims to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy that claimed the lives of all five passengers aboard the Titan.

Communication Issues And Final Messages

The Titan began its descent from the support ship Polar Prince at approximately 9:20 a.m. local time on June 18, 2023. For the first 40 minutes, routine messages were exchanged between the submersible and the ship.

At around 10 a.m., communication issues arose when the Polar Prince repeatedly asked if the Titan could see the ship on its display. After a 15-minute delay, the Titan responded, acknowledging communication problems and stating they had "lost system oand [sic] chat settings."

Despite these issues, the Titan crew, believed to be led by explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, assured the surface team that everything was "all good here" at 10:15 a.m. This message came after the Polar Prince expressed concern about the need for better communication.

Final Moments Before Losing Contact

Nine minutes after the "all good" message, the Titan notified the Polar Prince that they were "east south east [of] the nbow," which investigators believe indicated proximity to the Titanic wreckage.

The Polar Prince continued to inquire about the Titan's ability to see them on their display, noting that the submersible's position was jumping significantly with each ping. In response, the Titan asked if the Polar Prince was also at the bow.

At 10:47 a.m., at a depth of approximately 3,350 meters and under pressure of 4,900 pounds per square inch, the Titan sent its final message: "dropped two wts," referring to the release of weights. Contact was lost almost immediately after this communication, at 10:47:32 a.m.

Investigation And Aftermath Of The Tragedy

Four days after losing contact, debris from the Titan was discovered about 500 meters from the Titanic wreck site. The implosion resulted in the deaths of all five passengers: Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Hamish Harding, Shahzada and Suleiman Dawood, and OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush.

OceanGate, the company operating the Titan, has suspended its operations pending the ongoing investigation. The company's attorney, Jane Shvets, offered condolences to the families of those who perished and expressed hope that the hearing would shed light on the cause of the tragedy and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Coast Guard's hearing is expected to last two weeks, during which testimony from technical experts, crew members, and other relevant parties will be reviewed. The investigation will examine evidence related to the submersible's design, operation, and safety protocols.

Debating The Final Moments

The final moments of the Titan passengers have been a subject of debate among experts and family members. The Nargeolet family has claimed in a lawsuit that the passengers experienced "terror and mental anguish" and were aware of the danger before the implosion.

This view has been echoed by Titanic director James Cameron, who suggested that the crew had dropped their ascent weights and were attempting to manage an emergency. However, some outside experts have challenged this interpretation.

An unnamed expert explained that dropping weights is a normal part of the dive process as the submersible approaches its target depth. The expert stated:

People read that — oh, we're dropping weight, they must be in trouble. It's actually, no, they're just approaching the Titanic.

This perspective suggests that the final message about dropping weights may not necessarily indicate an emergency situation.

Why This Story Matters

The Titan submersible tragedy underscores the unpredictable nature of deep-sea exploration and its inherent risks. This story is crucial for the community as it highlights the importance of technological, operational, and regulatory advancements in ensuring safer future explorations. It also serves as a sober reminder of the human costs of ambition and adventure, resonating deeply across families, corporations, and nations involved.

Conclusion

The Titan submersible tragedy continues to raise questions about deep-sea exploration safety. The U.S. Coast Guard investigation has revealed the final messages from the Titan before its implosion during a dive into the Titanic wreck. Despite some communication issues, the crew reported that all was well shortly before losing contact. The submersible's last message indicated it had dropped weights at a depth of 3,350 meters. This hearing aims to uncover the cause of the tragedy and prevent future incidents in deep-sea exploration.