The tragic incident involving the Titan submersible has led to a new lawsuit filed by the family of French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet. The lawsuit alleges that the crew onboard the submersible experienced extreme “terror and mental anguish” in their final moments, as they were well aware that they were going to die. The family is seeking $50 million in damages and has accused OceanGate, the operator of the submersible, of gross negligence due to the vessel’s troubled history.
The Titan submersible, carrying Nargeolet and four others, imploded on its way to the wreck site of the Titanic in the North Atlantic in June 2023. The submersible had enough oxygen to sustain the occupants for 96 hours. The lawsuit claims that the crew attempted to abort the dive early on, as evidenced by the dropping of weights just 90 minutes into the dive. Experts agree that the crew would have been aware of the impending disaster.
The court papers speculate on the horrific final moments that Nargeolet and the others onboard would have experienced. They suggest that the crew may have heard the crackling noise of the carbon fiber hull under the pressure of the water. The loss of communication and power would have added to their terror and mental anguish. The suit argues that OceanGate failed to disclose important information about the submersible’s flaws and shortcomings, which would have influenced Nargeolet’s decision to participate in the expedition.
Nargeolet, known as “Mr. Titanic,” had extensive experience with the Titanic wreck and had been on numerous expeditions before. The lawsuit claims that if OceanGate had been more transparent, Nargeolet would not have participated in the ill-fated Titan expedition. The lawsuit alleges that Nargeolet’s death, along with the deaths of the other crew members, was wrongful.
OceanGate has declined to comment on the lawsuit at this time. They will need to respond to the complaint in the coming weeks. The Titan submersible had set off on June 18, 2023, but lost contact with its support vessel a couple of hours later. The wreckage was eventually found about 984 feet from the Titanic.
This tragedy highlights the importance of transparency and the need for operators of submersibles and other exploration vessels to disclose any potential risks to their crew members. It also raises questions about the safety protocols and training provided to the crew. The lawsuit serves as a reminder that negligence can have devastating consequences, and that companies must prioritize the well-being and safety of their employees.
