The Titan Submersible from an ILS Consultants Perspective
When writing about tragedies like the Titan’s implosion, it is always important to remember that for some, it was a life-altering day where they lost loved ones. So, we will try to discuss this with that in mind. That said, let’s take a look at the Titan submersible from an ILS consultant’s perspective.
Because we cannot accuse anyone of wrongdoing without 100% proof, we can only discuss what we, as supportability engineering consultants would or should do.
ILS consultants should have scrutinised the risk management strategies employed, particularly in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with the submersible’s design and operation. If the accusations are true that not enough attention was given to safety, it would be outrageous especially when considering the risks of each dive.
Every single component of the sub should undergo testing to ensure its reliability, and an assessment regarding each component’s chance of failure should be done accurately.
When you can understand which components have the highest chance of failure, you can be prepared, and while in the case of a spontaneous implosion, it is not enough to be prepared, perhaps it can be avoided altogether.
The Titan Sub: Before we Start
Just before getting into the article, we think it is important to mention that the Titan did manage to get some incredible footage of the Titanic over the years, and it has contributed a lot to documenting the state of the shipwreck. So, there is nothing wrong with the objective here, but rather the alleged carelessness with regards to safety.
Stockton Rush, the late CEO of OceanGate was passionate about what he was doing and seemed to have truly believed in the Titan and its ‘innovations.’ However, diving to 4000 metres below sea level is an extremely dangerous task, and the lives of everyone that was onboard or has ever been in the sub should not be left to the chances of an “experimental design” holding up under extreme pressure.
Here is a video of Stockton Rush discussing the submersible:
The Titan Submarine’s Last Dive
On June 18, 2023, five passengers entered the Titan and began their dive in hopes of observing the Titanic wreck. Approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive, contact with the submersible was lost. It is unclear how deep the sub would have been, but according to some sources, it is believed to have been around 3500 metres below sea level.
On June 22, 2023, debris was found approximately 500 metres from the Titanic, and was determined to be remains of the Titan.
As of the writing of this article, the investigation into the incident by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada is in its reporting phase. The US Coast Guard and the French Marine Casualty Investigation Authority are also conducting an investigation.
The Titan Submarine: What Went Wrong?
Ultimately, five people lost their lives on the 18th of June 2023 in what was supposed to be an intriguing adventure.
While investigations are still ongoing, it is believed that the Titan’s hull imploded, which would have happened within one to 25 milliseconds, leaving no time at all for the passengers to even register what was happening.
Some experts suggest that there was a small window of time where the crew would have realised that they were in danger as, according to the article, an electrical malfunction would have caused the submersible to lose its thrusters, ultimately causing the sub to descend rapidly, nose first.
Was the Titan Submersible Certified?
Sometimes it can seem like regulations are just, there, and can often slow down the production of products. However, certification is crucial for any kind of machinery that transports or is even simply operated by a human.
The Titan submersible was not certified by any recognised marine certification body, a major concern as certification ensures that the design, materials, and construction meet industry safety and reliability standards for deep-sea environments.
Typically, certification bodies rigorously assess the materials, construction, and engineering practices to verify the submersible’s ability to withstand extreme pressures and conditions, a process that helps identify potential risks and ensures that all safety measures and redundancies are in place.
Certification ultimately provides confidence in the submersible’s reliability and the safety of its occupants.
Finally, the reason why the vessel was not certified is a little bizarre; in a now-deleted press release, OceanGate said “Bringing an outside entity up to speed on every innovation before it is put into real-world testing is anathema to rapid innovation.”
Material and Structural Integrity Concerns
The material and structural integrity of the Titan submersible were major concerns due to its use of an experimental combination of carbon fibre and titanium. While innovative, this approach raised significant questions about the long-term durability of the hull under the extreme pressures of deep-sea dives.
Carbon fibre, though strong, is known to be susceptible to delamination and fatigue over time, especially when subjected to repeated stress cycles. The lack of extensive testing and certification further exacerbated these concerns, leaving doubts about whether the sub could reliably withstand the pressures at depths of 4,000 meters.
In an article by the University of Buffalo, an engineer and researcher, Deborah Chung discusses why the use of carbon fibre might not have been a suitable material, despite its successful use in aircraft. Basically, the material is great at handling internal pressure as it works well under tension but struggles when the pressure is external.
A good ILS plan would focus on ensuring that the materials used are not only durable but also maintainable and inspectable over time. In the case of the Titan, ILS would be critical in developing comprehensive maintenance schedules, identifying potential failure modes, and ensuring the availability of specialised repair resources.
Without this, the risks associated with material degradation could be overlooked, leading to increased operational hazards and potential catastrophic failures.
Post Dive Testing
Yes, OceanGate did do testing with the Titan sub, and it did dive to the Titanic wreckage several times. However, according to experts who are investigating the incident, testing might be the main concern.
It is speculated that the Titan submersible could have developed a weakness in its hull on a previous dive.
Testing and inspection after each dive are critical for detecting any potential weaknesses, especially in a submersible operating at extreme depths.
A good supportability engineering consultant would focus on implementing a rigorous post-dive inspection and testing protocol, typically involving non-destructive testing methods, such as ultrasound or X-ray inspections, to identify any signs of material fatigue, delamination, or microfractures in the hull.
Additionally, the consultant would ensure that detailed records of each dive are maintained, documenting any anomalies or changes in the sub’s structural integrity. By closely monitoring these factors, you would prevent minor issues from escalating into catastrophic failures, ensuring the submersible remains safe and operational over its intended lifecycle.
Training and Human Factors
There is not much to say here because well, passengers did not need any previous training, so they relied solely on the pilot and owner of the vessel. The Titan did have a messaging system that allowed the pilot and crew to receive instructions from the surface, but when you have an emergency 3500 feet below sea level, that is not good enough.
Did the Titan Submersible Really Use a Game Controller?
The Titan sub did use a game controller to move around. When news of this came out, many people were shocked. However, gaming controllers are great in these types of applications, even the military uses them to control some unmanned vehicles.
The United States uses Xbox controllers to control various types of machinery, including spy drones. The UK military uses the same controllers for unmanned ATVs. So, it is not as bad as some news outlets made it out to be.
Most ‘game controller controlled’ machines are typically only partially controlled with the controller. Yet, the CEO of OceanGate who was also the pilot, once mentioned that they run the whole vessel off a controller.
A key thing to note is, that the Titan sub did not use an Xbox controller, instead, it used what resembled the more budget option, a Logitech F10 wireless. That said, they did always have a spare one onboard.
Final Thoughts
The Titan submersible tragedy serves as a sombre reminder of the critical importance of safety, thorough testing, and robust risk management in any high-risk activity. While it is impossible to say definitively whether better Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) planning could have prevented the implosion, it’s clear that many concerns raised by industry experts were not adequately addressed.
Proper ILS planning involves not only understanding potential failure modes and implementing rigorous testing protocols but also ensuring that safety is never compromised in the pursuit of innovation.
Ultimately, this incident highlights the need for meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of design, operation, and maintenance, particularly when lives are at stake.
Find out how ILS can help your business – Book an informal chat with Shaun
+44 (0)1952 671950
Your support engineering insights…
Register for the latest news, direct to your mailbox!
