OceanGate CEO compared the glue holding Titan together to peanut butter.

Innovative CEO Describes Submersible’s Unique Construction

In a captivating 2017 video shared on OceanGate Expeditions’ YouTube channel, the late CEO Stockton Rush provided an intriguing analogy to explain the remarkable adhesive used in their groundbreaking submersible. He compared it to a beloved food item, instantly capturing the audience’s attention.

“It’s pretty simple, but if we mess it up, there’s not a lot of room for recovery,” Rush emphasized as the video showcased the meticulous assembly process.

Then, with a touch of humor, he added, “The glue’s very thick, so it’s not like Elmer’s Glue; it’s like peanut butter.”

Concerns Ignored: A Tragic Premonition

Tragically, years before the fatal incident, David Lochridge, the former director of marine operations for the Titan project, had raised serious concerns about the submersible’s safety. In a 2018 engineering report, Lochridge highlighted numerous flaws in OceanGate’s design and construction, including delamination and porosity in the carbon-fiber hull, faulty ballast bag glue, improper sealing faces, and non-standard O-ring grooves.

Despite Lochridge’s warnings, his concerns were dismissed, as reported by The New Yorker. Shockingly, when Lochridge voiced his apprehensions during a company meeting, he was promptly fired.

A Desperate Plea for Safety

Recognizing the imminent danger, Lochridge reached out to Rob McCallum, co-founder of Eyos Expeditions, who had previously led expeditions to the Titanic. In a heartfelt message, Lochridge expressed his deep concerns about Rush’s reckless pursuit of his ego-driven ambitions.

“That sub is an accident waiting to happen,” Lochridge wrote. “There’s no way on earth you could have paid me to dive the thing… I don’t want to be seen as a Tattle tale, but I’m so worried he kills himself and others in the quest to boost his ego.”

Lochridge’s warning was met with a chilling response from McCallum, who acknowledged the industry’s apprehension:

“Do you think the sub could be made safe to dive, or is it a complete lemon?” McCallum asked. “You will get a lot of support from people in the industry… everyone is watching and waiting and quietly s***ting their pants.”

Lochridge’s response was unequivocal: “It’s a lemon.”

Whistleblower Silenced

Desperate to prevent a catastrophe, Lochridge sent an inspection report to OSHA investigator Paul McDevitt, hoping for government intervention. However, instead of addressing the safety concerns, OceanGate’s lawyer retaliated by issuing Lochridge a court summons.

The summons demanded that Lochridge withdraw his claim within ten days and pay nearly ten thousand dollars in legal expenses. Faced with the threat of a ruined reputation and accusations of immigration fraud, Lochridge reluctantly withdrew his whistle-blower claim.

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