Half a decade prior to the tragic event where the OceanGate Titan submersible collapsed in the deep ocean during its expedition to the Titanic, an experienced pilot working for OceanGate reportedly voiced concerns about the company’s CEO, Stockton Rush, risking his own life and the lives of others in his relentless pursuit of personal glory.
David Lochridge, a submersible pilot and engineer with a background in the Royal Navy and international ventures, expressed reservations regarding the design and construction of OceanGate’s submersible. However, Lochridge’s apprehensions were allegedly disregarded by the company. According to The New Yorker, Lochridge discovered various issues with the vessel, such as visible signs of delamination and porosity in the carbon-fiber hull, adhesive problems with the ballast bags, improperly sealed faces with unintended plunge holes, and non-standard O-ring grooves, among other concerns. When Lochridge raised these issues during a company meeting, he was promptly terminated from his position.
In correspondence with Rob McCallum, co-founder of Eyos Expeditions, a company involved in Titanic expeditions, Lochridge candidly expressed his worries about Rush’s potential disregard for safety, stating, “I consider myself daring when it comes to dangerous activities, but that sub is a disaster waiting to happen.” Lochridge continued, “There is no way I would dive in that sub, even if you paid me… I don’t want to be seen as a whistleblower, but I’m genuinely concerned that Rush’s ego-driven quest could result in harm to himself and others.”
Following Lochridge’s dismissal, McCallum reportedly remarked on the significance of his departure, stating, “Stockton must be devastated. You were the star player… the only one who gave me a semblance of confidence.”
Expressing concerns that Rush might retaliate, Lochridge conveyed, “We both know he wields influence and possesses wealth.” He added, “That sub is not safe for diving.”
Seeking Lochridge’s opinion on the submersible’s potential safety, McCallum asked, “Do you think the sub could be made safe for diving, or is it fundamentally flawed?” Lochridge tersely replied, “It’s flawed.”
McCallum revealed that Rush had approached him to oversee his Titanic operation, as McCallum had experience with commercial expedition trips to the Titanic. Rush’s plan involved constructing a vehicle specifically tailored for a multi-passenger expedition. However, when Rush made it clear that he would not subject the submersible to marine certification, McCallum decided to distance himself from OceanGate. He stated, “The moment I learned that he would not seek certification for the vehicle, I told him, ‘I’m sorry, but I cannot be involved.'”
“I can assure you that the classification society has been nothing but supportive,” McCallum assured Rush. “They are actively contributing to our design through the expertise of their engineers.”
Recalling Rush’s reaction, McCallum said, “Stockton did not appreciate that. He disliked being told that he was pushing boundaries.” McCallum cautioned Rush, stating, “You cannot cut corners in the deep. It’s not about disrupting; it’s about respecting the laws of physics.”
Sharing his interactions with potential Titanic visitors, McCallum advised against boarding an unclassified submersible, stating, “Never enter an uncertified sub. I wouldn’t, and neither should you.”
OceanGate’s director of finance and administration, whom Rush approached to become the chief submersible pilot, declined the offer due to a lack of trust in Rush. She highlighted the youth of several engineers in the company, with many being in their late teens or early twenties. As soon as she secured another job, she resigned from OceanGate.
Lochridge sent an inspection report to OSHA investigator Paul McDevitt, hoping that government intervention would be prompted. Subsequently, McDevitt contacted OceanGate, leading to the company’s lawyer allegedly serving Lochridge with a court summons. The summons demanded that Lochridge withdraw his claim within ten days and pay nearly ten thousand dollars in legal expenses to OceanGate. Failure to comply would result in OceanGate filing a lawsuit against Lochridge, damaging his reputation, and accusing him of immigration fraud. Ultimately, Lochridge chose to withdraw his whistle-blower claim.