23-6-2023 (WASHINGTON) Renowned Hollywood director James Cameron, known for his blockbuster film “Titanic” and his extensive research on the historic shipwreck, has drawn striking parallels between the ill-fated Titanic and the recent tragedy involving the submersible Titan. Cameron highlighted the danger of overconfidence leading to disaster in both cases.
In an interview with ABC News on Thursday, Cameron expressed his observations on the similarities between the 1912 sinking of the Titanic and the loss of the Titan submersible, which was specifically designed to explore the remains of the iconic ship. He noted that warnings were disregarded in both instances, resulting in tragic consequences.
Cameron, who is also a submersible designer, criticized the carbon fiber construction of the Titan, describing it as “fundamentally flawed.” This contrasts with OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush’s previous defense of using carbon fiber, citing its strength-to-buoyancy ratio.
The director expressed surprise at the unfolding of the modern-day tragedy, given the extensive diving activities taking place worldwide without major incidents. Cameron emphasized that global safety standards for submersibles are robust, with no recorded fatalities until this incident. He highlighted the advancements made since the accidents of the 1960s and praised the well-designed Russian submersibles he had personally traveled on during his expeditions to the Titanic.
Cameron pointed out the unique challenges posed by the Titanic wreck site, which features a complex structure with overhanging metal. He explained that while other deep-diving environments may contain sea life and potential risks, they lack the entanglement dangers present at the shipwreck site.
Chris Goldfinger, a marine geologist at Oregon State University, echoed Cameron’s comparison, describing the Titan as an “underprepared vehicle.” Goldfinger emphasized the importance of backup systems and the presence of additional submersibles in the area, which the Titan lacked.
The director revealed that concerns about the Titan’s safety measures had been raised within the deep-diving community. He mentioned letters written by prominent figures in deep submergence engineering, cautioning against the experimental nature of the submersible and calling for proper certification.
In response to previous allegations and concerns, OceanGate issued a statement in 2021 asserting that the Titan had been designed in consultation with expert engineers, incorporating multiple redundant safety systems. However, Cameron and Goldfinger noted that the Titan lacked the same level of self-rescue capability as many other submersibles.
Tragically, all five passengers aboard the Titan—OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman Dawood, British billionaire Hamish Harding, and renowned Titanic researcher Paul-Henri Nargeolet—lost their lives. Cameron, who had been friends with Nargeolet for 25 years, expressed his deep sadness and paid tribute to the victims and their families.
