Titan’s implosion: The US Coast Guard begins investigation into the disaster

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By Adam Durbin and Gareth Evans BBC News June 25, 2023

Updated 20 minutes ago

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Watch: A definitive timeline of Titan’s last moments

An investigation into the causes of the Titan submerged disaster has been opened by the US Coast Guard.

Chief Investigator Cpt Jason Neubauer said his priority will be to recover the wreckage, and precautions will be taken if human remains are found.

Speaking Sunday, he also said the investigation would be able to recommend civil or criminal charges.

Titan was diving into the wreckage of the Titanic on June 18 when it exploded, killing all five people on board.

CPT Neubauer told reporters in Boston that the US Coast Guard held the highest level of investigation.

He said it would try to determine the cause of the disaster and make recommendations to prevent future tragedies. He added that it would be jointly managed with the Canadian, UK and French authorities.

The investigation is currently in its initial phase and efforts are ongoing to recover the submarine wreck. So far, five major pieces have been found 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) below the surface in a large debris field near Titanic’s bow.

CBT Neubauer said investigators would take “every precaution” if they discovered human remains.

He said the investigation could lead to stricter regulations and safety recommendations for submarines, but he could not confirm how long it would take to complete.

Once all the evidence is collected, CBT Neubauer said investigators will likely hold a formal hearing to obtain witness testimony.

He added that the interviews had already taken place in the Canadian city of Saint John, where Titan’s support ship, Polar Prince, launched the submarine and towed it into the North Atlantic.

US Coast Guard Adm. John Mauger, who also spoke to reporters, was asked about the cost of the search and rescue operation but declined to answer,

He said charging for search and rescue is not policy and the service does not place a cost on human lives or rescuing people in a “hazardous environment” of the ocean, adding, “We always answer the call.”

“We conduct disciplined operations with justifiable risk of putting our resources and lives at risk to save others. That’s who we are.”

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