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James Cameron draws chilling parallels: Submersible tragedy echoes Titanic disaster, points finger at OceanGate CEO
23 Jun, 2023 / 11:24 AM / OMNES Media LLC

Source: http://www.mashable.com

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Mashable: Cameron drew a striking comparison between the recent tragedy and the infamous sinking of the Titanic in 1912.

James Cameron, the renowned filmmaker behind the blockbuster movie Titanic, has finally broken his silence on the recent submarine implosion near the Titanic wreck. In an interview with ABC News, Cameron drew a striking comparison between the recent tragedy and the infamous sinking of the Titanic in 1912.

Reflecting on the recent submarine implosion, Cameron expressed his astonishment at the similarities to the Titanic disaster, where the captain ignored repeated warnings about ice and steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night, resulting in numerous casualties. This marks the first time Cameron has publicly addressed the devastating incident, highlighting his deep connection to submersibles.

Having extensively explored the Titanic wreck, Cameron revealed that he has spent more time on the ship than the captain did during its ill-fated voyage. His passion for submersibles and his personal experience with the Titanic tragedy lend weight to his words.

On the left: the interior of James Cameron’s submersible, the Deep Sea Challenger. It cost $10 million. On the right: the interior of the Titan. pic.twitter.com/9WyMjbdATm

— Dr. Crystal Fleming クリスタル (@alwaystheself) June 22, 2023
The filmmaker shed light on concerns raised by experts in the deep submergence engineering community regarding the safety of the ill-fated expedition. Cameron highlighted the fact that prominent figures in the field had written letters to OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, cautioning against the experimental nature of the voyage and advocating for proper certification.

James Cameron has spoken out about the missing Titanic submersible.

“People in the community were very concerned about this sub. Top players in the submergence community even wrote letters to the company, saying what they were doing was too experimental for passengers.” pic.twitter.com/BK3mEEhy11

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) June 22, 2023
Expressing his disbelief, Cameron noted that the tragedy occurred at the exact same site where extensive diving operations take place worldwide. He described it as astonishing and surreal, emphasizing the unheeded warnings that led to such a devastating outcome. He also mourned the loss of Paul-Henri Nargeolet, a legendary sub-dive pilot and close friend, whose death in the incident left Cameron reeling with disbelief.

The implosion claimed the lives of all five passengers on board the Titan sub, including Stockton Rush, Paul-Henri (PH) Nargeolet, Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman. Rear Admiral John Mauger of the US Coast Guard explained that the implosion would have produced a significant sound detectable by sonar buoys, leaving little hope for the recovery of their remains.

Cameron's remarks highlight the need for stringent safety measures and certification in deep submergence expeditions.