In Too Deep: Are the Risks Worth the Reward?
The deep blue sea has always been a mystifying and fascinating place to humankind, with its vastness and unexplored depths. Companies like OceanGate have been tapping into our curiosity by offering submarine tours that promise to take passengers on a unique journey through the depths of the ocean. For a few years now, the Seattle-based company has been operating tours around the sunken Titanic using a “state-of-the-art” five person submersible called the Titan. The trendy tours are reserved for tourists with deep pockets due to its $250,000 a person price tag.
The recent disappearance of their Titan vessels has prompted a flurry of interest in OceanGate; specifically in regards to the functionality, integrity, and safety of its submarine. A major red flag being the $250,000 ride is navigated with a Sony Playstation controller. Since Titan’s public launch, the unorthodox vessel has had a relatively shaky history. In 2018, the company’s engineering team produced a report warning that the submarine needed more testing and stressed “the potential dangers to passengers of the Titan as the submersible reached extreme depths”.
While companies like OceanGate may argue that they are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their customers, the reality is that accidents can and will happen. The recent accident highlights the need for stronger protections for consumers not only in the deep-sea exploration industry, but all industries. As consumers, we deserve better protections and assurances that the companies we entrust with our hard earned money are doing everything in their power to keep us safe. With the knowledge from their engineers, OceanGate should not have been able to sell this product to the people for hundreds of thousands of dollars, regardless of whether a liability waiver was signed. But unfortunately, elitism has allowed companies like OceanGate to operate with a blatant disregard for equipment limitations and safety protocols.
What if the funds invested and spent on these leisure projects were distributed righteously? Could they be better utilized for the betterment of humanity? These are questions worth asking, especially in a world where so many are suffering from poverty, hunger, and lack of access to basic needs like clean water and healthcare. Imagine if the millions of dollars invested in OceanGate's Titan submarine project were instead used to create new healthcare systems, build schools or provide basic infrastructure to areas in need… The possibilities are endless. While it's true that leisure activities can bring joy and unforgettable experiences, it's important to consider the impact our choices have on others. We must demand more from companies like OceanGate, not only in terms of safety protocols but also in terms of their social responsibility.
The accident involving OceanGate's Titan submarine highlights the dangers of just one industry that operates with disregard for ethics, equipment limitations, and safety protocols. It's time for consumers to demand greater transparency and accountability from these companies and the bodies that govern them. Sadly, most recent news suggest that the Titan submarine may have imploded so we want to wish our condolences to the families of the passengers on board, Stockon Rush, Hamish Harding, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada & Suleman Dawood. It's time for all of us to consider the bigger picture and the impact our choices have on the world around us.