July 2024
Case
HBS Case Collection

Titan: OceanGate's Tragedy of Titanic Proportions

By: Aiyesha Dey, Joseph Pacelli, James Barnett and ZeSean Ali

Format:Print
| Language:English
| Pages:27

Abstract

In June 2023, OceanGate’s Titan submersible imploded attempting to reach the Titanic shipwreck site 3,800 meters below sea level. All five passengers aboard died, including OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush. Before the tragedy, many in the deep-sea exploration community made their concern for the Titan’s safety known, including James Cameron and OceanGate employees. What could Rush have done to avoid the implosion? And was the capital-intensive world of ocean exploration ethical?

Keywords

Analysis; Decision Making; Ethics; Leadership; Risk and Uncertainty; Safety; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; Technology Industry; Tourism Industry; Transportation Industry; Atlantic Ocean; North America; Washington (state, US)

Citation

Dey, Aiyesha, Joseph Pacelli, James Barnett, and ZeSean Ali. "Titan: OceanGate's Tragedy of Titanic Proportions." Harvard Business School Case 124-016, July 2024.