HALIFAX — The federal Fisheries Department has revealed new information regarding its interaction with OceanGate, the American firm responsible for the Titan submersible, which tragically imploded near Newfoundland in June 2023, resulting in the deaths of all five individuals on board.
In a statement released on Thursday, the department confirmed that during the summer of 2021, one of its staff members boarded a vessel associated with OceanGate to act as an observer during a mission off the coast of Newfoundland. The intent of this boarding was to gain insights about OceanGate's operations. However, the department concluded that OceanGate's priorities did not align with its own scientific objectives, leading to the decision not to pursue further relationships with the company.
No additional details about the mission were disclosed. When inquiries were made regarding whether any federal employees had expressed safety concerns regarding OceanGate, a spokesperson specified that the responsibility for the safety of submersibles does not fall under the department's jurisdiction. The spokesperson clarified that the department had no involvement in risk assessments or operational oversight of subsequent missions undertaken by OceanGate.
Earlier this week, a report issued by the U.S. Coast Guard indicated that the devastating incident on June 18, 2023, could have been averted had OceanGate's CEO, Stockton Rush, heeded earlier safety warnings and sought independent inspections and certification for the submersible. Stockton Rush was among those who lost their lives when the Titan disintegrated as it descended approximately four kilometers beneath the surface of the North Atlantic, near the wreck of the Titanic.
The Coast Guard's report cited serious flaws in OceanGate's safety procedures, highlighting significant discrepancies between the company's safety protocols and actual practices. This comprehensive 300-page report also disclosed that in May 2021, Canada’s Fisheries Department had sent a letter of support to Rush, expressing its desire to collaborate with his company in assessing its submersibles for scientific research purposes. Portions of this letter were included in the Coast Guard's report.
In response to inquiries, the Fisheries Department emphasized that it frequently explores scientific collaborations with various potential partners. A department spokesperson stated that in early 2021, there were a number of preliminary discussions with OceanGate, and the May 2021 letter was intended to summarize these discussions, as well as the prospects of working together to evaluate OceanGate’s marine research systems.
On May 19, 2021, the letter issued made it evident that officials from the department were eager to engage with Rush and his team, expressing enthusiasm for the discussions and the unique opportunities presented to Canadian scientists and conservation efforts. The correspondence also hinted at potential funding from the Canadian government.
Furthermore, the spokesperson confirmed that discussions had occurred regarding the possibility of having a department staff member board the submersible on an exhibition trip to the Titanic, located nearly 700 kilometers south of Newfoundland. Nevertheless, this expedition never materialized. The department did not provide clarity on the reason behind the termination of the relationship with OceanGate and only acknowledged its partnership on a different vessel when pressed for further details.
Besides the Fisheries Department’s supportive letter in 2021, the investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard found no evidence supporting any actual collaborative efforts or financial support between the department and OceanGate. The Titan's catastrophic implosion also claimed the lives of French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British adventurer Hamish Harding, as well as two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman Dawood.
As of June, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has reported that it completed its investigation into the incident, which was then undergoing review.
