OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush had previously joked about the dangers of diving to the Titanic aboard his Titan submersible, just months before a disaster claimed his life.

A new documentary by ITN, titled “The Titan Sub Disaster: Minute by Minute,” unveiled previously unheard audio recordings from the search and rescue efforts following the sub’s demise. The documentary also included a clip from a radio show featuring Rush discussing his upcoming journey to explore the Titanic wreck.

Rush’s submersible had been a subject of concern due to its design, with multiple warnings issued regarding its safety. Emails from former OceanGate employee David Lochridge revealed his apprehensions about the Titan sub and Rush’s attitude towards safety. Lochridge expressed his worries, stating, “I’m so worried he kills himself and others in the quest to boost his ego.” He further described the sub as “an accident waiting to happen” and expressed his reluctance to dive in it under any circumstances.

Just days before the tragic incident, Lochridge reportedly inspected the submersible and noted numerous concerns. He shared these concerns with OceanGate project associate Rob McCallum. However, both Lochridge and McCallum had left the company due to safety concerns by the time of the Titan’s fateful dive.

Months prior to the disaster, Rush had made a lighthearted remark during an interview on Canadian radio station St John’s Radio, asking, “What could go wrong?” Unfortunately, a little over four months later, contact with the Titan sub was lost while Rush and four others were onboard, resulting in a catastrophic implosion and the loss of all aboard.

A timeline of the Titan submersible disaster:

• On June 18, 2023, OceanGate Expedition’s 21-foot submersible, named Titan, descended at 8 am E.T. to explore the Titanic wreck off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Five individuals were onboard with a 96-hour oxygen supply.
• Those onboard included OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British-Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman.
• Approximately one hour and 45 minutes into the descent, the Polar Prince lost contact with the Titan.
• Despite extensive search efforts launched by the US Coast Guard on June 19, 2023, the sub failed to resurface or establish contact.
• On June 21, 2023, sonar crews detected “banging noises,” briefly raising hopes of the crew’s survival.
• By June 22, 2023, the sub’s oxygen supply was expected to have been depleted, leading to grave concerns for the crew’s well-being.
• Eventually, a “debris field” was discovered, confirming a catastrophic implosion caused by immense water pressure and structural failures, resulting in the loss of all five individuals onboard.

“The Titan Sub Disaster: Minute by Minute” continues tonight at 9 pm on Channel 5, providing further insights into the tragic event.