The U.S. Coast Guard plans to get to the bottom of the Titan submersible implosion from over a year ago with formal hearings slated for mid-September in North Charleston.
The hearing is for the Marine Board of Investigation to consider evidence related to the loss of the Titan at the Charleston County Council Chambers, located at 4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston.
The hearing will examine all aspects of the loss of the Titan, including pre-accident historical events, regulatory compliance, crewmember duties and qualifications, mechanical and structural systems, emergency response, and the submersible industry, officials said.
The formal hearing is scheduled to convene daily at 8:30 a.m. Eastern on the following dates:
- Monday, Sept. 16, 2024
- Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024
- Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024
- Friday, Sept. 20, 2024
- Monday, Sept. 23, 2024
- Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024
- Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024
- Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024
- Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 (if necessary)
The formal hearing was convened by Vice Adm. Peter W. Gautier, deputy commandant for operations. An MBI is the highest level of investigation in the Coast Guard. Upon completion of the investigation, the Board will issue a report to the Commandant with the evidence collected, the facts established, its conclusions, and recommendations, Coast Guard officials said.
Titan was on an expedition to explore the wreck of the Titanic when contact was lost one hour and 47 minutes into its dive on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
The Coast Guard, and other agencies, conducted an extensive search operation. The wreckage of the Titan submersible was subsequently found on the ocean floor, approximately 300 meters off the bow of the Titanic, and all five passengers died.
Due to capacity limitations, members of the public are encouraged to view the hearing via the live stream. Livestream information will be published closer to the convening date, officials said.