Zack Sharf Digital News Director Josh Gates, an explorer and the host of “Expedition Unknown” and more shows on the Discovery Channel, revealed on Twitter that he turned down a chance to visit the wreckage of the Titanic using OceanGate’s now-missing Titan submersible.
Gates was supposed to film on the submersible but decided against it after discovering “safety concerns.” “I had the unique opportunity to dive in the OceanGate Titan sub with [company CEO] Stockton at the helm in preparation for its maiden mission to Titanic,” Gates wrote. “I pray for a positive outcome to the rescue efforts of those aboard, including fellow ‘Explorers Club’ member Hamish Harding.” Gates added, “To those asking, Titan did not perform well on my dive.
Ultimately, I walked away from a huge opportunity to film Titanic due to my safety concerns with the OceanGate platform. There’s more to the history and design of Titan that has not been made public – much of it concerning.” OceanGate’s Titan submersible is designed to take five people to a depth of 4,000 meters to visit the wreckage of the Titanic.
The trip costs around $250,000 per person. The structure has an oxygen life support span of 96 hours (four days) for five people.
Read more on variety.com