Following the devastating loss of the Titan submersible, a Canadian government agency has initiated an investigation into the incident and the role of its support vessel, the Polar Prince. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) announced the probe on Friday, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the operation of the Canadian-flagged Polar Prince.
The TSB's investigation is mandated by Canadian law and international agreements, given the Polar Prince's Canadian flag status. Investigators will travel to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador to collect information, conduct interviews, and evaluate the events. The TSB plans to coordinate its efforts with other involved agencies in the coming days.
The Titan lost communication with the Polar Prince on Sunday during its descent to the Titanic wreckage. Debris from the submersible was discovered on Thursday, leading authorities to presume the deaths of all five individuals on board.
This file image provided by OceanGate shows the Titan submersible descending into the ocean. (OceanGate Expeditions)
Rear Admiral John Mauger of the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that the discovered debris indicated a catastrophic failure of the submersible's pressure chamber, leading to the immediate notification of the families. He offered his deepest condolences on behalf of the Coast Guard and the unified command.
