Oceangate co-founder reveals vision for fleet of submersibles

OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein articulated a vision for the future of deep-sea exploration during his testimony before the U.S. Coast Guard panel on Monday.

Sohnlein, who co-founded OceanGate with Stockton Rush, left the company before the implosion of the Titan in June 2023.

He outlined plans for a fleet of four to five deep-diving submersibles, each designed to carry five passengers to depths of 6,000 meters (approximately 19,685 feet).

Sohnlein emphasized that the absence of a dedicated mothership would significantly lower operational costs.

“We wanted to give humanity greater access to the ocean, specifically the deep ocean,” he noted.

In the wake of the Titan submersible disaster, Sohnlein urged that this tragedy should not spell the end for deep-diving ventures.

“This can’t be the end of deep ocean exploration. This can’t be the end of deep-diving submersibles and I don’t believe that it will be,” he stated.

The disaster claimed the lives of Rush and four others.

Although the Argentine-American businessman distanced himself from OceanGate years earlier—he left the company in 2013 as the company transitioned to engineering—Sohnlein defended the company’s aspirations during the ongoing investigation into the incident.

He recalled his decision as “one of the hardest” he had to make, noting he maintained a minority stake in the company but could no longer justify a $120,000 salary for a reduced role.

During his testimony, Sohnlein explained that the choice of carbon fiber for the Titan was driven by the need for a lightweight, cost-effective submersible that could operate independently of a mothership.

Ultimately, he maintains utilizing carbon fiber was “not a novel idea” and indicated that existing submersible builders could not fulfill the company’s specific requirements.

Consequently, OceanGate decided to develop its own vessels while closely collaborating with the Coast Guard throughout the design process.

Sohnlein also shared his personal choice to avoid ever diving in the Titan.

He revealed that, despite having the opportunity to do so “many times,” he declined, citing a desire to leave room for potential clients.

This came out of respect for Rush’s intentions, he claimed, stating that when it was time to test the submersible, Rush wanted to take that risk himself, feeling responsible for the design.

As part of the Coast Guard’s ongoing investigation, previous testimonies have painted a picture of a company facing internal conflicts and financial pressures.

Former OceanGate operations director David Lochridge described the company’s focus as primarily profit-driven, claiming there was “very little in the way of science.”

Last week saw his testimony go as far as describing the project as an “abomination of a sub”.

However, Sohnlein refuted this perspective, asserting that both he and Rush were not motivated by tourism, particularly regarding the Titanic, which had already been extensively explored.

Sohnlein departed OceanGate in 2013, citing a transition towards engineering that better suited Rush’s expertise.

The Coast Guard panel’s investigation is set to continue through Friday, with additional witnesses scheduled to testify, including Roy Thomas from the American Bureau of Shipping.

The Titan’s tragic final dive on June 18, 2023, ended with the submersible losing contact after initial communications regarding its descent.

A frantic search operation ensued, ultimately revealing wreckage near the Titanic site, with no survivors found.

OceanGate has stated its full cooperation with ongoing investigations by both the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.