OceanGate, owner of the submarine that imploded during the dive with the Titanic, suspends operations
The company that owned a submarine that fatally imploded en route to the Titanic wreckage said Thursday it has suspended operations.
OceanGate, a company based in Everett, Washington, owned the Titan submarine that is believed to have imploded during its descent into the North Atlantic on June 18, about 430 miles off the coast of Newfoundland.
Researchers believe the Titan imploded as it descended into the deep North Atlantic on June 18. Among the dead was Stockton Rush, the pilot of the submarine and CEO of the OceanGate company.
The Coast Guard said last week human remains were likely recovered from the submarine’s wreckage and are being examined by US medical officials.
Remotely operated vehicles known as ROVs were used to retrieve the debris from the ocean floor about 12,000 feet underwater.
The U.S. Coast Guard has convened a Marine Board of Investigation, the highest level of investigation into the implosion, and plans to hold a public hearing in the future.
The statement on OceanGate’s website says the Everett, Washington-based company has “suspended all exploration and commercial activities,” but doesn’t elaborate. Telephone messages were left at the company asking for comment.
OceanGate is based in the US and OceanGate Expeditions, a related company that led the dives from the Titan to the Titanic, is registered in the Bahamas.
Also killed in the implosion were two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet.
The company charged passengers $250,000 each to participate in the trip.
;Resize=620)
