As soon as the Titan submarine encountered trouble, information about OceanGate immediately garnered significant attention.
In recent days, the incident involving the Titan exploration submarine has become the focal point of global media coverage. Alongside monitoring the rescue efforts and related information, the company behind the design of the Titan and the organization of tours to explore the wreck of the Titanic, OceanGate, has also drawn considerable interest.
How Does OceanGate Operate?
OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owns the Titan submersible, is a private firm based in Everett, Washington, USA. Founded in 2009 by Stockton Rush, who currently serves as the CEO, he was also one of the five victims who tragically lost their lives in the Titan incident on June 18.
Notably, at just 19 years old, Stockton Rush became the youngest commercial jet pilot in the world and earned a degree in aerospace engineering from Princeton University. In 1989, he obtained an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
Stockton Rush was one of the five victims who lost their lives on the Titan submersible. (Photo: The Herald).
According to OceanGate’s website, since its inception, the company has particularly focused on enhancing access to deep-sea exploration activities. In recent years, it has begun organizing submarine expeditions for tourism purposes.
They offer tours to explore shipwrecks lying on the ocean floor, including the Titanic and underwater canyons. The company also provides manned submersibles for commercial projects and scientific research. Since its establishment, OceanGate has successfully conducted over 14 expeditions and more than 200 dives in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico.
“Our skilled pilot team, expedition leaders, mission experts, and customer service staff ensure accountability throughout the entire mission and exploration process, focusing on safety, proactive communication, and customer satisfaction,” states OceanGate’s website.
The Titan submersible carrying 5 passengers is believed to have “exploded” shortly after losing contact with surface vessels. (Photo: OceanGate)
OceanGate’s Titanic Exploration Tours
Considered one of the expedition services primarily for the ultra-wealthy, the cost for the exploration trip is reportedly around $250,000 (approximately 5.9 billion VND) per person. During this expedition, passengers follow an 8-day itinerary that allows them to explore the Titanic at a depth of 3,800 meters in a submersible made of carbon fiber and titanium.
Here, they will experience various services, including one underwater dive, private accommodations, training, provided exploration equipment, and all meals on board. Airfare, hotel accommodations, pre-departure meals, and personal insurance are not included in the expedition cost.
The Titanic wreck exploration trip is chosen by the wealthy despite its inherent risks. (Photo: OceanGate).
Typically, the Titan can accommodate up to 5 people, including a pilot, three mission specialists (participants – customers), and one content expert.
According to technology news site GeekWire, the company first planned the trip to the Titanic in 2018; however, due to various technical issues and maritime regulations, the first Titanic wreck expedition was only conducted in 2021.
As of now, three Titanic wreck expeditions have been completed. Although the first two expeditions did not encounter serious accidents, communication issues in previous dives to the Titanic raised concerns about safety and reliability.
How Many Submersibles Does OceanGate Own?
As a company particularly focused on deep-sea exploration tourism, while the exact number is not clearly known, OceanGate is believed to own several different types of submersibles.
The first submersible acquired by OceanGate was the Antipodes, capable of diving to depths of about 300 meters. In 2012, the company purchased another submersible and modified it into Cyclops 1, which can dive to depths of up to 500 meters.
The Titan submersible is considered the only vessel capable of taking 5 people to a depth of 3,800 meters. (Photo: OceanGate).
Regarding the Titan vessel involved in the incident, it is dubbed the only submersible capable of taking 5 people to a depth of 3,800 meters in the ocean. OceanGate states that the vessel, made of titanium and carbon, is designed to “survey and inspect sites, conduct research and data collection, produce films, and simultaneously test hardware and software in deep waters.”
