Titan Disaster: A Tale of Over Ambition and Tragic Outcomes

Two years ago, a disastrous event shocked the world when the submersible Titan imploded during a deep-sea tour to the Titanic's wreckage, costing five lives. Most prominently among the victims was the co-founder and CEO of OceanGate, the vessel's company, Stockton Rush. He was accused of recklessly leading his wealthy customers into a perilous situation, having dismissed warnings about the safety of the craft he had developed.

Rush openly grumbled about U.S. regulations he bypassed which he claimed "put passenger safety before commercial innovation." The Netflix documentary "Titan: The OceanGate Disaster,” premieres this saga without holding back, focusing on the tragic outcomes rather than any inspirational undertones.

Rush was confident and charismatic, enjoying the limelight and was always ready for the camera. However, his character flaws are highlighted by those who knew him, painting a picture of a man who believed he was brilliant and blamed others when things went wrong.

Rush’s fatal voyage wasn’t his first attempt to provide high-end tourist expeditions to the Titanic but his decision to cut costs and reduce craft weight by using carbon fiber for the hull structure instead of heavy titanium proved catastrophic. Although tiny microphones were installed to offer early warning signs of snapping fibers under extreme pressure, Rush overlooked these grim indicators, taking his hubris as an engineer and ignoring third-party safety checks.

Many OceanGate personnel resigned or were fired as they voiced concerns about undressed risks, and Rush unequivocally stated that he would “ruin” anyone who betrayed the company. Details of the disaster are recounted by former colleagues and investigators who partook in various investigations, painting a tragic tale of misguided idealism, unaddressed risks, and stubborn denial from Rush.

Despite repeated warnings about an impending catastrophic structural failure, Rush continued to overlook them, leading to the Titan's dreadful end on its first Titanic voyage of the third season, on June 18, 2023. His customers had to sign waivers, acknowledging the risk of death multiple times, despite paying a hefty $100,000-plus trip price.

The documentary loses some urgency towards the end, primarily due to lack of footage or audio of the final voyage. It offers little information about the other victims apart from Rush and renowned French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet. The documentary couldn't sustain the climactic tension, despite offering important testimonies from various interviewees. The narrative could have been tighter, but it remains a compelling cautionary tale and epitome of adventurous spirits taking on risks greater than they can manage.