OceanGate, the company that operated the Titanic’s diving excursions, has suspended all of its commercial diving. The company reports it on its website, without further information. According to submarine expert Pim van der Horst, this was in line with expectations. “They have another submarine, but it can’t go that deep,” says Van der Horst.
There are only a few boats in the world that can go this deep. Ocean Gate itself only had one, which is why Van der Horst isn’t surprised that the company is now suspending all operations. “They have another submarine, but it can’t go that deep,” says Van der Horst.
The Titan was an experimental boat and all sorts of new things were tried with it. The boat had already been on the Titanic about ten times, so, according to Van der Horst, it probably gave enough confidence. “This time it was just one too many. Such a result is something all divers take into consideration.’
Underwater tourism
Diving tourism is developing. ‘We also have a company in the Netherlands that builds beautiful submarines for the rich. But because it’s commercial, they really have to cater for a lot of quality brands. These submarines are thoroughly checked and tested,’ says Van der Horst. He expects this market to take a short dip as a result of this crash, “but it will eventually bounce back.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
