## 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