OceanGate Expeditions, a global provider of manned submersible solutions, has suspended operations for the foreseeable future. The company’s decision to suspend operations arrives more than two weeks after its Titan submersible went missing while attempting to visit the remains of the Titanic. The U.S. Coast Guard was unable to rescue the passengers before they presumably ran out of oxygen, but they were able to find debris near the last known location of the submersible. As a result, it has been determined that the vessel suffered a “catastrophic implosion” and the passengers were likely killed instantly.
“This is an extremely sad time for our dedicated employees who are exhausted and grieving deeply over this loss. The entire OceanGate family is deeply grateful for the countless men and women from multiple organizations of the international community who expedited wide-ranging resources and have worked so very hard on this mission,” a statement from the company reads.
“We appreciate their commitment to finding these five explorers, and their days and nights of tireless work in support of our crew and their families.”
In the meantime, the U.S. Coast Guard will continue to investigate the implosion of the Titan submersible. They will also examine “presumed human remains” found at the site of the “catastrophic implosion.”
