SSP Diaries | The tragedy of the Titan

THE MISSING submersible, Titan, in the Atlantic Ocean had been the focus of all the world’s major media houses since it disappeared on June 18 on a commercial voyage to the site of the wreck of the infamous RMS Titanic. The Titanic sank on April 14, 1912. At the risk of seeming to be somewhat morbid or callous, I feel compelled to investigate the possible motives of people who continuously make such journeys for pleasure.

James Cameron, a film-maker, visited the site 33 times and spoke of being trapped at the wreckage for over 16 hours on one occasion, because of underwater currents. Author Loibl, a German adventurer, was there in August 2021. He describes the experience as “a suicide mission”. Having flown over Russia in an MIG 29 fighter aircraft, visited the North and South Poles, Loibl says, “The Titan expeditions were the most extreme”. Scientific research is not the focus here, but in a manner of speaking, there seems to be a determination to cheat death based upon the known risks being taken, and space tourism can easily be included here.

On June 22, the world learnt that the Titan had imploded, killing everyone aboard. French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet the OceanGate CEO, Stockton Rush; British billionaire Hamish Harding; and Pakistani businessman Shanzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Sulaiman, have paid the ultimate price for their dangerous and, in my opinion, unnecessary adventure. Interestingly, during the period of the search for the Titan, there was an abundance of persons coming forward to point out the inadequacies of the vessel for the tasks it performed. In summary, money has triumphed over safety, but why the deathly silence prior to the catastrophe?

What drives the rich to take unnecessary risks is the question. It appears that they are forever creating challenges that serve to bolster egos, create self-aggrandizement, or merely conversation pieces on the cocktail circuit. It must be a feather in the cap to be able to say that ‘I have been there and done that, now can you better it?’ It is difficult to see what else could be gained from this expedition, except to show that I can afford it, money is not a problem. How difficult is it for the wealthy to step back a bit and think how much better such huge disposable sums can be spent in the interest of humanity?

The Titanic has been a grave site for over 100 years. Once discovered in 1985, lying at a depth of 12,500 feet below sea level, it was properly charted and need not be disturbed. It should be left alone so all its souls may rest in peace. Previous explorers have journeyed there, so enough stories have been told – in films, books and other forms of communications. The tragedy has been embedded in our history...there really is nothing more to be added.

To the wealthy among us in the world today, refocus. Yes, you have the right to spend your legally acquired wealth as you see fit, but be more mindful of the less fortunate. There are millions starving in Africa, cures needed for the common cold and cancer, chronic illegal migration problems across continents and attendant human-trafficking problems, and homelessness and other forms of social injustices, etc, plaguing the globe. With disposable wealth there ought to be visual displays of social responsibility, a responsibility to those who helped you along the path, a responsibility to humanity and the generations of the future. Wealth should not drive one’s ego. There can be no positive message sent by reckless endeavours.

Let the dead rest in peace. Visiting the site and commemorating the tragedy of the Titanic can be done from the surface, if one needs to go that far. We need not push the envelope with the knowledge that one could be adding to an existing tragedy.

Notwithstanding the above, may all their souls rest in peace. May the wealthy adventurous among the living learn from this experience. If you must physically see for yourself, consider remotely operated vehicles which do not require humans onboard and provide just as good real-time visuals.