Storm Brewing over North Atlantic Submersible Accident
The probable deadline for the depletion of oxygen has come and gone. We, meaning the whole world, have been advised that conditions will have been absolutely dire. So dire, that the adventurers on this Titanic tourist expedition might not have survived even before the oxygen ran out.
It seems this story of humans trapped in a submerged vehicle kilometres below the surface is to become a tragedy.
But as the world has watched and waited it seems something else has emerged. The truth. And not just in the form of anecdotal stories from previous passengers who were in the very same vehicle which has succumbed to this North Atlantic submersible accident, of which many are starting to appear in the news and on social media. But in document form. Or perhaps more truthfully, lack of documents.
There is an organisation known as Det Norske Veritas (DNV). It’s primarily an independent safety classification company for the purposes of ensuring seaworthiness. More accurately, it’s the safety classification company for over 13,000 vessels, oil platforms, submersibles in 100 countries. At the very least, a stamp of approval from DNV, brings down the rates of that most meticulous of scrutineers, the insurance sector. In other words, if the DNV gives your vessel the thumbs up, you’re good to go.
Advertising vs. the truth
Little wonder that, in order to promise the ultimate in adventure with little risk, OceanGate actually marketed their submersibles as exceeding the classification requirements of DNV seaworthiness.
But they didn’t go anywhere near the offices of DNV, much to the raised eyebrows of the Marine Technology Society. It was this august body that urged OceanGate to seek review and assessment from the DNV five years ago.
They didn’t.
All the finger pointing in the world won’t bring back the unfortunate souls aboard the Titan submersible, if God forbid they have succumbed.
But the storm is coming. Because this North Atlantic submersible accident can never be allowed to happen again.