Submersible tragedy: Why did Nobody Think of a Black Box?

Now that the narrative has changed from search & rescue to recover & evaluate, we have a question.If the defence of OceanGate is the ‘experimental’ nature of the entire undertaking, why was there no black box on the craft? The black box records the last thirty seconds of operation before an accident. It has been the priceless tool identifying the cause of countless aircraft accidents. Invented in Australia seventy years ago for aircraft the black box (oddly-named, It’s actually orange) is adaptable for marine purposes.

Let’s do the math

Tell me what I’m missing here. ‘Experimental’ means testing and testing means the accumulation of data. The accumulation of data means knowledge and knowledge, in this case, means closure. So far, the cost of the search, rescue and/or recovery has been around six and a half million dollars. And climbing. The further expense of evaluating the remains of the submersible are incalculably. The cost of an airliner’s black box is around the fifteen thousand dollar mark. I’m sure the process to adapt the black box for marine use will add a few thousand. This would include the installation of a homing device capable of transmitting through the medium of water. So, at most, twenty thousand. As opposed to the the millions devoted to collecting all the debris.

100,000+ aircraft have been fitted with the black box and it has been instrumental in discovering the cause of hundreds of accidents. Discoveries which have led to modifications. Modifications which have led to thousands of lives being saved.

So, what is this ‘experimental phase’ that OceanGate are referring to, exactly?

And how are they absolved from blame by hiding behind a waiver form which all passengers of the submersible have to sign before embarking?

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