- Missing Titanic submarine LIVE. Passenger death waiver revealed
On Sunday, June 19, 2023, a submersible operated by OceanGate Expeditions imploded while exploring the wreck of the Titanic, but it has now emerged that all five passengers signed a death waiver.
Five were killed in the accident, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, but the passengers had signed a death waiver before boarding the submersible, which outlined the risks of the dive.
The waiver stated that the passengers were aware of the dangers of deep-sea diving, including the risk of death.
"The signer assumes full responsibility for the risk of bodily injury, disability, death and property damage due to the negligence of [OceanGate] while involved in the operation," according to TMZ, which was first to publish the three-page document.
They also agreed to release OceanGate from any liability in the event of an accident and the waiver was reportedly reviewed by a lawyer before the passengers signed it.
Safety concerns
The death of the five passengers has raised questions about the safety of deep-sea diving.
Bob Ballard, the oceanographer who discovered the Titanic wreck, has said that the Titan sub was not properly evaluated before it was used to explore the site and he has also accused OceanGate of cutting corners with safety.
James Cameron, the director of the film "Titanic," has also criticized OceanGate, saying that the company's safety procedures were "inadequate" and that the passengers were "set up to die."
Accident under investigation
The US Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the accident, though the death waiver signed by the passengers may make it difficult to hold OceanGate liable for their deaths.
The death of the five passengers is a tragedy and also a reminder of the dangers of deep-sea diving.
While there are risks associated with any activity, the risks of deep-sea diving are particularly high.
In addition to the death waiver, passengers who dive to the Titanic wreck are also required to undergo a medical examination and to sign a document stating that they are physically and mentally fit to dive, as well as being required to attend a safety briefing before the dive.