James Cameron reveals new information about Titanic sub disaster | 60 Minutes Australia

Summary

One year after the Titan submersible tragedy, many questions remain unanswered. The disaster, which claimed five lives during a dive to the Titanic wreck, is scrutinized by experts and the victims' families. James Cameron, a renowned deep-sea explorer, criticizes OceanGate's risky practices and the lack of timely information from authorities. Despite early knowledge of an implosion, a prolonged and hopeful search ensued, causing further anguish. The investigation continues as Cameron plans a new mission to honor his friend and ensure future deep-sea explorations are conducted safely.

Takeaways

• 🚤 James Cameron reveals insights on the Titan submersible tragedy.
• 📉 Death was instant for the five occupants aboard the Titan submersible.
• 🔍 A year after the tragedy, many questions remain unanswered.
• 😠 James Cameron criticizes OceanGate for breaking safety rules and not contacting victims' families.
• 🚫 The Titan was the only commercial submersible with a carbon fiber composite hull, deemed unsafe by experts.
• 🛠️ OceanGate's CEO, Stockton Rush, took pride in breaking conventional rules.
• 🌊 Communication with the Titan was lost less than two hours into its dive.
• 🔊 Reports of tapping noises during the search were later deemed fictional.
• 🗣️ The US Coast Guard received classified information about an implosion early on but didn't share it publicly.
• 🧭 James Cameron plans to build a new submersible and continue deep-sea exploration in honor of his friend.

Q & A

What rule did Stockton Rush break when constructing the Titan submersible?

Stockton Rush broke the rule of not combining carbon fiber and titanium in the construction of the Titan submersible, which industry experts agree is incapable of withstanding extreme deep sea pressure.

Why is James Cameron critical of the Coast Guard's handling of the Titan tragedy?

James Cameron criticizes the Coast Guard for not disclosing information about the detected implosion early on, which led to unnecessary hope and a torturous wait for the families of the victims.

What evidence does Sidney Nag have from her father's final adventure?

Sidney Nag has a shriveled Styrofoam cup that her father, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, took on his deep-sea missions to see it shrink under the pressure of descent. This cup somehow survived the catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible.

How many times has James Cameron visited the Titanic wreck site?

James Cameron has visited the Titanic wreck site 33 times.

What makes the Titan submersible unique in its design?

The Titan submersible was the only commercial submersible in the world with a hull made from carbon fiber composite, which was untested and not certified, making it an outlier in deep-sea exploration.

What role did the Odus 6 submersible play in the search for the Titan?

The Odus 6 submersible was the only remotely operated vehicle that could reach nearly 4 kilometers down to the Titanic site, and it was involved in the search mission for the Titan submersible.

How did James Cameron learn about the confirmed implosion of the Titan?

James Cameron learned about the confirmed implosion of the Titan from a reliable naval source who informed him of the event, which was detected and triangulated to the site.

What were the initial reactions of the Coast Guard when they received the call about the missing Titan submersible?

The Coast Guard recognized the call as an unprecedented challenge, having never dealt with a subsurface search before, and they initiated a search and rescue operation despite the information about the implosion being classified and inconclusive at the time.

What is James Cameron's future plan related to deep-sea exploration?

James Cameron plans to build a new submersible capable of reaching 4,000 meters and may return to the Titanic wreck site to prove that deep-sea exploration can be done safely if done correctly.

Why did the search for the Titan submersible continue despite the knowledge of an implosion event?

The search continued because the information about the implosion was classified and not definitive. The Coast Guard felt a moral and statutory responsibility to continue the search in hopes of a rescue until they had tangible evidence of the submersible's fate.