While the $30 Logitech F710 controller may have been a factor in the overall safety of the Titan submersible, it is unlikely to be the primary cause of the implosion, analysts say.
It was reported that the submersible used a consumer-grade video game controller for some functions, but there is no indication that this controller was a direct cause of the implosion.
Thus, there is no concrete evidence linking the $30 Logitech F710 controller to the failure of the Titan submersible.
In an earlier televised interview, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush stunned journalist David Pogue by revealing that he controlled the Titan submersible using a “modified game controller.”
As Stockton Rush held up a seemingly ordinary game controller, journalist Pogue’s jaw dropped. Rush quipped “this is how we pilot the Titan to the Titanic wreck.”
Contributing factors
The primary factors believed to have contributed to the Titan’s failure include:
- Structural flaws: Investigations suggest that the submersible may have had design or manufacturing defects that made it vulnerable to the immense pressure at the depth of the Titanic wreck.
- Carbon fiber hull: The use of carbon fiber, while lightweight, may have made the hull more susceptible to failure under extreme conditions.
- Lack of safety systems: The submersible reportedly lacked redundant safety systems, such as an emergency escape hatch or a life support system.
Several families of the victims have filed lawsuits against OceanGate Expeditions, the company that operated the submersible. These lawsuits are seeking damages for the loss of life and the emotional distress caused by the tragedy.
The legal proceedings are complex and involve various legal arguments, including allegations of negligence on the part of OceanGate. The outcome of these lawsuits will likely have significant implications for the future of deep-sea exploration and the regulations governing such activities.
Nargeolet family files $50 million lawsuit
Recently, Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s estate has filed a $50 million lawsuit against OceanGate Expeditions, the company that operated the Titan submersible.
The lawsuit alleges that OceanGate was grossly negligent in the design, construction, and operation of the submersible, leading to the fatal implosion that claimed the lives of all five people on board, including Nargeolet.
The lawsuit accuses OceanGate of:
- Gross negligence: The estate claims that OceanGate had a “devil-may-care approach to safety” and prioritized “innovation above all else,” resulting in a submersible that was not fit for deep-sea exploration.
- Concealing risks: The lawsuit alleges that OceanGate failed to disclose known risks and defects to Nargeolet and other passengers, even though he was designated as a member of the vessel’s crew.
- Causing pre-death suffering: The estate claims that Nargeolet experienced conscious pre-death pain and suffering as the submersible failed.
The lawsuit seeks damages for the loss of life, emotional distress, and financial support. It is one of several lawsuits filed against OceanGate by the families of the victims of the Titan disaster.
Looking back: The Titan implodes on its way to the Titanic
The submersible Titan imploded during a dive to the Titanic wreck in the North Atlantic Ocean on June 18, 2023. All five people on board were tragically killed.
The implosion was likely caused by the immense pressure at the depth of the Titanic, experts said.
A search and rescue operation was launched, but unfortunately, the debris field found near the wreck confirmed the catastrophic event. The incident has sparked discussions about the safety of deep-sea exploration and the regulations governing such activities.
The five people who tragically died in the Titan implosion were:
- Hamish Harding: A British billionaire businessman and adventurer.
- Paul-Henri Nargeolet: A French veteran deep-sea explorer and former French Navy officer.
- Stockton Rush: The CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, the company that operated the Titan.
- Shahzada Dawood: A Pakistani businessman.
- Suleman Dawood: Shahzada Dawood’s 19-year-old son.
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