'No experience!' Titan Sub whistleblower slams OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush

Summary

The transcript details concerns raised by an experienced marine operations director regarding the safety and construction of a submersible named Titan. Despite the company's lack of experience in building submersibles since 2009, there was a rush to complete the project, leading to cost-cutting measures and poor engineering decisions. The director, along with other experienced pilots, voiced their concerns about the sub's safety, which were dismissed by the company's management. The director's inspection report, highlighting significant safety risks, was ignored, and the submersible was still pushed into trials, raising questions about the company's prioritization of profit over safety.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ Stockton and the team had no experience in building submersibles.
• ⚠️ The speaker had no confidence in the Titan's construction and raised safety concerns multiple times.
• 💰 The company's focus was on cutting costs and rushing to make a profit from Titanic expeditions.
• 🔧 Many components used in the Titan's construction were faulty or had anomalies, according to the speaker.
• 📢 The speaker and other experienced submersible operators voiced their concerns but were dismissed by management.
• ❌ The company ignored safety concerns in favor of financial gain and speed, a major red flag for the speaker.
• 📝 The speaker submitted a formal report in January 2018, warning of safety risks and calling for corrective actions.
• 🛑 The speaker recommended that the Titan should not be used in manned trials until all safety issues were resolved.
• 👨‍💼 The management's refusal to listen to safety concerns created tension between the speaker and the rest of the team.
• ⚙️ The speaker conducted a detailed inspection of the Titan's components, finding major deficiencies, but his concerns were not adequately addressed.

Q & A

What was the primary concern expressed by the Director of Marine Operations regarding the submersible?

The Director of Marine Operations expressed a lack of confidence in the safety and quality of the submersible, citing cost-cutting measures, bad engineering decisions, and a rush to complete the project for profit.

How did the company's inexperience in building submersibles affect the situation?

The company's inexperience led to a lack of confidence in the submersible's ability to operate safely. The Director of Marine Operations noted that there was no experience across the board within the organization, which raised serious concerns about the safety and reliability of the submersible.

What was the Director of Marine Operations' responsibility towards the safety of the submersible?

The Director's responsibility was to ensure the safety of the passengers and himself, having 100% confidence in the submersible's ability to maneuver, dive, and surface safely without any component failures or issues.

Why were the concerns of experienced submersible pilots and operators dismissed?

The dismissal of safety concerns was attributed to a desire to reach the Titanic quickly to start making profits, leading to cost-cutting measures and rushed engineering decisions.

What was the role of the Director of Marine Operations during the construction of the Titan?

Initially, the Director of Marine Operations was not part of the review process for incoming components. However, he was asked to inspect the Titan before it was handed over from engineering to operations.

What was the significance of the document labeled 'exhibit 098'?

Exhibit 098 was an inspection report created by the Director of Marine Operations, detailing significant safety concerns and deficiencies in the submersible's components. It was intended to serve as an official record of issues that needed to be addressed.

Why did the Director of Marine Operations feel the need to create a formal report?

The Director felt compelled to create a formal report because verbal communications of key safety issues had been dismissed on several occasions, and he wanted to ensure there was an official record for the sake of safety.

What was the Director's recommendation regarding the use of the Titan before safety issues were addressed?

The Director recommended that the Titan should not be manned during any upcoming trials until suitable corrective actions were in place and closed out.

What was the difference between an inspection and a Quality Inspection according to the Director?

An inspection, as described by the Director, involves taking detailed notes, providing recommendations, and expressing dissatisfaction with any aspect of the submersible. A Quality Inspection is a more formal process that requires a record to be kept and is typically done before a project is handed over.

What was the timeline for the Director's involvement in the inspection of the Titan?

The Director had been making notes and verbally expressing concerns throughout the construction process. The formal inspection report was prepared in January 2018, prior to the submersible being handed over from the engineering team to the operations department.

Outlines

00:00

🚤 Concerns Over Submersible Safety

The speaker, a Director of Marine Operations, expresses a lack of confidence in the safety and construction of the submersible Titan. Despite having no prior experience in building submersibles, the company had been operating since 2009. The speaker's responsibility is to ensure the safety of passengers and the submersible, yet they had no confidence in the Titan's construction. They were vocal about their concerns, which were dismissed due to cost-cutting measures and rushed engineering decisions aimed at quickly reaching the Titanic to start profiting. The speaker, along with other experienced submersible pilots, voiced their concerns about the engineering and the components that arrived at the facility in 2017.

05:01

📄 Documenting Safety Concerns

The speaker describes their role in inspecting incoming components for the Titan submersible, which were placed near their desk. They found no confidence in the efficiency or safety of the components, and were vocal about these concerns to all directors within the organization, including the owner's wife. Safety was prioritized over profit, and the speaker was concerned about the use of faulty and deficient equipment. They mention a specific document, exhibit 098, which was their inspection report highlighting significant safety risks that needed to be addressed before the submersible could be safely operated. The report was sent to all directors, including the CEO, and recommended that the Titan should not be manned during trials until corrective actions were taken.

10:01

🔍 The Difference Between Inspection and Quality Inspection

The speaker clarifies the difference between an inspection and a quality inspection. An inspection allows for note-taking, recommendations, and the expression of dissatisfaction, whereas a quality inspection is more formal and requires a record. The speaker was asked to conduct an inspection of the Titan before its handover from the engineering team to the operations department. This inspection was an opportunity to raise all concerns observed during the build process. The speaker had been making notes and verbally communicating their concerns throughout the construction of the Titan.

Keywords

💡Submersible

A submersible is a vehicle or vessel capable of operating underwater, typically used for deep-sea exploration, research, or military purposes. In the context of the video, the discussion revolves around the safety and construction concerns of a specific submersible named Titan. The term is central to the theme as the video focuses on the operational and safety issues raised by experienced professionals involved in its development.

💡Marine Operations

Marine operations refer to the planning, execution, and supervision of activities conducted in a marine environment, often involving specialized equipment and personnel. The Director of Marine Operations mentioned in the script is responsible for ensuring the safety of passengers and the submersible, highlighting the critical role this position plays in overseeing the safe deployment and operation of the submersible.

💡Safety Concerns

Safety concerns are issues or risks that could potentially lead to accidents or harm to individuals involved in an activity. The script repeatedly emphasizes the lack of confidence in the safety of the Titan submersible due to various factors such as cost-cutting measures and poor engineering decisions. These concerns are central to the narrative as they drive the discussion on the responsibilities of the management and engineers towards the safety of the submersible and its passengers.

💡Cost-Cutting

Cost-cutting refers to the practice of reducing expenses to increase profitability or financial efficiency. In the video script, cost-cutting is identified as one of the main reasons behind the dismissal of safety concerns and the use of substandard materials in the construction of the Titan. This term is crucial as it illustrates a potential conflict between financial goals and safety standards.

💡Engineering Decisions

Engineering decisions involve the selection of appropriate technologies, materials, and methods to achieve a project's goals. The script discusses how certain engineering decisions, possibly influenced by the desire to save costs or expedite the project, led to the use of inadequate components and contributed to the overall safety concerns regarding the Titan submersible.

💡Profit Motive

The profit motive refers to the drive to generate financial gain, which can sometimes influence business decisions. The script implies that the push to reach the Titanic quickly for profit may have compromised safety and quality in the construction of the submersible. This concept is significant as it underscores the potential ethical dilemmas between prioritizing financial success and ensuring operational safety.

💡Quality Inspection

A quality inspection is a process used to verify that a product, system, or service meets specified quality standards. In the video, the director of marine operations conducts a quality inspection of the Titan submersible and raises several safety concerns in a formal report. This keyword is important as it demonstrates the formal process of identifying and addressing issues that could impact the safety and reliability of the submersible.

💡Dismissal of Concerns

The dismissal of concerns refers to the act of ignoring or rejecting warnings or issues raised by individuals, often due to management decisions. The script describes how the experienced engineer's concerns about the submersible's safety were dismissed, which is a critical point in the narrative as it highlights a disregard for potential safety hazards.

💡Duty of Care

Duty of care is a legal and ethical obligation to ensure the well-being and safety of others. The script mentions the duty of care as a responsibility of management towards all personnel, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing safety over other considerations. This concept is central to the video's message, as it frames the discussion around the responsibilities of those in charge.

💡Anomalies and Deficiencies

Anomalies and deficiencies refer to irregularities or shortcomings in a product or system. The script describes various components of the Titan submersible as having 'anomalies or deficiencies,' indicating that they did not meet expected standards. These terms are significant as they directly relate to the identified safety concerns and the overall theme of the video, which is the struggle between safety and other business objectives.

Highlights

Stockton and the team had no experience in building submersibles, raising concerns about the project's safety and feasibility.

The company's lack of experience since 2009 is highlighted as a significant risk factor for the submersible operations.

The Director of Marine Operations emphasizes a 100% responsibility for the safety of passengers and the submersible's reliability.

Lack of confidence in the Titan's construction is expressed due to cost-cutting measures and poor engineering decisions.

The urgency to reach the Titanic for profit overshadowed safety concerns, according to the experienced engineer.

The dismissal of safety concerns by the chief operating officer is criticized as unacceptable within the submersible industry.

The company's push to complete the project led to skipped steps and evident safety issues, as noted by multiple experienced pilots.

The arrival of substandard components at the facility in 2017 sparked further concerns among the team.

The Director of Marine Operations was not initially part of the review process for incoming components.

Every component inspected showed deficiencies, leading to a lack of confidence in the submersible's safety.

The director's vocal concerns about safety were dismissed, impacting the relationship with the company's management.

The director's inspection report, sent to all directors, highlights significant safety risks that were previously dismissed.

The report recommends that the Titan should not be manned during trials until corrective actions are addressed.

The difference between an inspection and a Quality Inspection is explained, emphasizing the need for a formal record.

The director's opportunity to raise concerns about the build process was during the official Handover of the submersible.

The transcript concludes with a strong emphasis on the importance of safety over profit in submersible operations.

Transcripts

Stockton had no experience building

submersible none of them did none of

them were experienced submersible

operators I know the company had been on

the go since 2009 there was no

experience across the board within that

organization as the Director of marine

operations what is your responsibility

and obligation to the safety of the

submersible that you are operating

um my responsibility is to the

passengers 100% and myself

the the vehicles themselves I've got to

have 100% confidence in the ability to

be able

to maneuver dive bring back up to the

surface and get those people out safely

without any thoughts of our components

going to fail or is there any

issues top side that are going to affect

this it's I mean it's Paramount I mean

you have to have the confidence in the

equipment to do the job it's like every

other industry if you don't have the

confidence in it you don't do it that's

it and did you have confidence in the

way that the Titan was being built at

this time no confidence whatsoever and I

was very vocal about that and still

am and as an experienced engineer and

operator of submersibles with over 25

years of exper experience why do you

think they dismissed your

concerns they cost cutting um bad

engineering decisions i' would say

that's the the two main things the

desire to get to the Titanic as quickly

as they could to start making profit uh

I knew nothing about the financial side

of things but

um yeah there was a big push to get this

done and a lot of steps along the way

were missed and it was pretty evident

not just to myself to Mr Tim Carson to

Chris Imes who are both very experienced

submersible Pilots with years and years

of experience and we all voiced concerns

about what was happening in terms of the

engineering of Titan and even more so

when the components started

arriving at the facility in Everett

during 2017

is the is the dismissal of such safety

concerns by experienced pilots and

operators the norm within the

submersible no it's not acceptable

and I don't know why but um the chief

chief operating officer should who's

running the organization he should when

I or when anybody goes to a chief

operating

officer if the CEO is saying do this and

you don't agree with it you go to your

you're next in command you let them know

that you're not happy with it anytime I

would give my displeasure in what was

happening or disapproval i' say that's

probably the best word um I was

dismissed

so everybody knew from the engineering

team I mean I spoke to every single one

of them all the children that were

coming in straight out University some

hadn't even been to University yet that

Tony and nisson had employed Stockton

had no experience building submersible

none of them did none of them were

experienced submersible operators I know

the company had been on the go since

2009 there was no experience across the

board within that organization that

initially was the entire appeal for me

going across and transforming things and

making something good out of what at the

time was nothing it was nothing it was

all smoking mirrors all the social media

that you see about all these past

Expedition they always had issues with

their expeditions I didn't know this at

the time until I went across speaking to

contractors that had been on the

previous

jobs yeah sorry I do apologize that

was so in the fall of 2017 yes the first

Titan Hall begins to come together so

the the winding is complete and the new

parts begin to come into Ocean Gate were

you there at the time correct I was and

at that point what was your role and

responsibility with regards to the new

Titan Hall and

the and the parts coming in and and

reviewing were you part of the uh review

process of these things coming in to

your submersible initially no not until

I was asked which is on the voice

recording which you have all heard which

um and Stockton States in there he did

ask me to do an inspection of the Titan

this is once the vehicle was

complete so up until

then anytime any of the components would

come in my desk overlooked the the

loading area where stores would come in

the components would come onto the shop

floor before they were taken through to

the engineering department I looked at

everything and there wasn't anything and

I mean anything on that build or

pre-build basically when the components

were there that gave me any confidence

in them producing uh an efficient

product nothing and as I have reiterated

and I probably will continue to do

so I was very vocal about it to all of

them every director within the

organization owner's wife at the time I

don't know whether she was all of them

and it didn't help the relationship but

at the end of the day safety comes first

and any any time you're going in a sub

most important thing is going home safe

to your families not going and making

money and pushing the envelope as

everybody keeps quoting in the news it's

nothing to do with that you want to be

able to do something safely yes you're

taking a risk going down the submersible

but don't take risks that are

unnecessary with faulty and I mean

faulty deficient equipment and

everything that came in had anomalies or

deficiencies in the product itself

I wasn't the only one that saw this

there was a lot of people saw every

component coming

in yeah I was the most

vocal recorder you please bring up

exhibit

098 which

was the director of marine

operations inspection

report

yep Mr Locker have you ever seen this

document absolutely I made this document

and if you have no objections would you

allow me to read this

out and what is that it is the same well

sorry it was the initial cover letter to

all

the um the rest of the directors of the

company and do and Rush the

CEO go ahead okay is this is that the

email that's displayed here sir that

is okay so this was sent to all the

directors Tony Nissen included who was

director of engineering with Cyclops 2

Titan being handed off from engineering

to operations in the coming weeks now is

the time to properly address items that

may pose a safety risk to personel

verbal communication of the key items I

have addressed in my attached document

have been dismissed on several occasions

so I feel now I must make this report so

there's an official record in place as a

director of marine operations it's my

professional opinion that the items

noted in my report are significant in

nature and must be addressed I have also

included my recommendation to how we

should be addressing each issue in the

attached quality inspection

report as stated in my employment

contract and job description David

lockage is responsible for ensuring the

safety of all crew and clients during

submersible and surface

operations I feel we all have a duty of

care as management to all Personnel

whether it be staff or Mission

specialist therefore it is my opinion

that until suitable corrective actions

are in place and closed out Cyclops 2

Titan should not be manned during any of

the upcoming

trials my report and the relevant

attachment ments are merely a clear

stated record of what I feel should be

addressed to allow for successful and

safe operations with Ocean Gate

Incorporated this report was prepared by

myself as part of the pending Handover

of the asset from Ocean Gate engineering

team to the operations department on the

18th of January

2018 and when did you begin conducting

this inspection

so the official report where I

started highlighting I've been I've been

making notes all the way through um when

this product started appearing and

obviously speaking verbally about it um

in terms of the report itself it was in

the

January we had had a conversation myself

Stockton uh Tony was there as well a

week to two weeks prior to this 18th of

January and Stockton as you hear on the

voice recording I was asked to inspect

Titan before the Handover not do a

Quality Inspection of time which is on

the record on the voice recording of my

dismissal which you all hold and have

heard what's what's the difference

between an inspection or a Quality

Inspection okay for me common sense if

you're asked to inspect something it

gives the person inspecting it the

opportunity and the ability to take

notes provide recommendations their

dissatisfaction with anything and submit

that it's not just a case of scribbling

something down on a bit of A4 paper and

handing it over to do an inspection of

something you have to you have to have a

record in place and for me this was my

opportunity being asked to do it prior

to the sub being handed over and

abomination of a sub but prior to that

being handed over this was my

opportunity to raise everything that I

had seen during the build and the final

build of Titan