06/25/2023 2:21 pm (act. 06/25/2023 02:21 pm)
Submarine imploded near Titanic wreckage ©APA/OceanGate Expeditions
After the confirmed death of the five occupants of the submersible “Titan”, Canadian police are investigating criminal investigations. Such an investigation will only be launched if an examination of the circumstances indicates that laws may have been violated, Kent Osmond of the Canadian Police said at the weekend. Currently, there is no suspicion of criminal activity.
Meanwhile, the Transport Safety Board (TSB) of Canada began investigating Titan’s mothership, Polar Prince. The ship docked at St. John’s, Newfoundland, on Saturday. The TSB began questioning the crew and evaluating the log books. The “Titan”, operated by the private company Oceangate, was taken to its place of action by the mother ship flying the Canadian flag. That’s why Canada is responsible for the investigation.
After the disappearance of the “Titan” on Sunday, a week ago, the US Coast Guard, with the help of Canadian forces in particular, launched a full-scale search about 700 kilometers south of the Canadian island of Newfoundland. Vehicle wreckage was discovered just 500 meters from the bow of the “Titanic” wreckage. Then it became clear: all five occupants, including Oceangate boss Stockton Rush, are dead.
According to several experts, the submersible’s developers and operators circumvented accepted standards and disregarded warnings. According to media reports, already in 2018 a letter from the organization Marine Technology Society (MTS) warned of the experimental character of the tourist offer and that trips could end in disaster.