OceanGate's Submersible Implosion Sparks Safety Concerns

## Overview OceanGate was a pioneering American company headquartered in Everett, Washington, dedicated to commercial deep-sea exploration using advanced crewed submersibles[1][4][5]. Founded in 2009 by Stockton Rush and Guillermo Söhnlein, the organization sought to democratize access to the ocean’s depths for tourism, research, and industry, offering experiences and capabilities previously limited to elite scientists and government agencies[1][2][5]. Rush, a former aerospace engineer and pilot, was driven by a vision to make the sense of discovery once reserved for astronauts available to anyone willing to venture underwater[2][7]. ## Activities and Fleet OceanGate operated a fleet of three five-person submersibles: the **Antipodes** (purchased used), **Cyclops 1** (a prototype with a large acrylic viewing dome), and **Titan** (custom-built for extreme depths)[1][4]. The company’s most famous offering was the **Titanic Expedition**, an eight-day journey departing from Newfoundland, Canada, taking paying tourists 3,800 meters below the Atlantic to view the historic wreck—a trip that cost $250,000 per passenger and required no prior diving experience[1][2]. OceanGate also conducted over 14 expeditions and 200 dives across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico, supporting both tourism and scientific research[2][5]. ## Key Achievements OceanGate’s technological ambition was exemplified by the **Titan** submersible, which used innovative materials like carbon fiber and titanium to reach depths of up to 4,000 meters—making it one of the few civilian-operated vehicles capable of visiting the Titanic[4][7]. In July 2021, Rush and his team successfully reached the Titanic wreck, marking a significant milestone in private deep-sea exploration[7]. The company raised nearly $37 million in funding and employed about 47 people at its peak, reflecting

The **U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)** is a unique military and maritime organization tasked with safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests encompassing security, safety, and environmental stewardship. Operating under the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard plays a critical role in search and rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection, and maritime security across a vast area including U.S. coastal waters, inland waterways, and international boundaries[1][2][5]. Founded in 1790 as the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard evolved through mergers and expansions to become the multifaceted maritime force it is today, integrating law enforcement, military readiness, and environmental protection missions. Its motto, *Semper Paratus* ("Always Ready"), reflects its readiness to respond 24/7 to emergencies, disasters, and national security threats[5][9]. The Coast Guard’s key missions include rescuing over 3,500 lives annually and saving more than $75 million in property each year through coordinated search and rescue operations involving cutters, aircraft, and boats. It enforces maritime laws to combat drug trafficking, human smuggling, and illegal fishing, which supports a $240 billion economy in U.S. fisheries[2][5]. The USCG also ensures port security against terrorism and cyber threats and leads responses to marine pollution incidents, protecting delicate ecosystems and endangered species[2][5]. Technologically, the Coast Guard is advancing human-machine teaming and adopting cutting-edge systems to enhance operational effectiveness, particularly in challenging environments like the Arctic, where it operates the only American-owned heavy icebreaker supporting polar missions[6][2]. Its strategic presence spans multiple districts covering all U.S. coastlines, inland waterways, and regions stretching from the Great Lakes to the Arctic, emphasizing its broad operational scope[1]. Notably, the Coast Guard Reserve serves as a vital force multiplier, ready to augment active-duty forces in emergencies, reflecting 84 years of critical support across defense, maritime security