Titan Submersible’s Scientific Director Says the Sub Malfunctioned Just Prior to the Titanic Dive

Remains of the Titan submersible on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean in this June 2023 image. Pelagic Research Services via AP

The scientific director for the company that owned the Titan submersible that imploded last year while on its way to the Titanic wreckage testified Thursday that the sub had malfunctioned just prior to the fatal dive.

Appearing before a U.S. Coast Guard panel, Steven Ross told the board about a platform issue the experimental submersible experienced in June 2023, just days before it imploded on its way to the Titanic site. The malfunction caused passengers onboard the submersible to “tumble about,” and it took an hour to get them out of the water.