Canada is investigating why the Titanic-bound submersible imploded

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada announced on Saturday that it has launched an investigation into the loss of the Titan submersible. As part of their inquiry, they have been in contact with individuals who were aboard the Polar Prince, the mothership of the ill-fated Titan.

This development coincides with joint efforts by authorities from the United States and Canada to determine the cause of the underwater implosion. The investigation grapples with the crucial question of identifying those responsible for unraveling the sequence of events leading to this tragic incident.

Maritime agencies are currently scouring the North Atlantic area where the vessel met its destruction, resulting in the loss of all five lives on board. Debris has been discovered approximately 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) below the surface, a few hundred feet away from the iconic Titanic wreckage, which the Titan was en route to explore.

Kathy Fox, the chair of the transportation board, emphasized that a safety investigation is being carried out in Canada due to the fact that the vessel was Canadian-flagged, departed from a Canadian port, and was involved in this incident in international waters. She also acknowledged that other agencies may choose to conduct their own investigations, and that decision is within their purview.

The ill-fated Titan submersible, being towed by the Polar Prince, departed Newfoundland on June 16. The vessel accommodated a total of 41 individuals, including 17 crew members and 24 others. Tragically, the implosion of the Titan resulted in the loss of five lives.

Kathy Fox, chair of the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada, acknowledged the international interest in the incident and assured that the TSB would share the information they gather with other relevant agencies such as the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Coast Guard, within the boundaries of Canadian law. She clarified that Canadian law protects voice recordings and witness statements.

Fox stated, "Our investigation will go where the evidence leads us. We don't want to duplicate efforts. We want to collaborate."

Furthermore, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced their initiation of an examination into the circumstances surrounding the deaths aboard the Titan. A comprehensive investigation will only proceed if it appears that criminal, federal, or provincial laws have been violated.

The initial search and rescue mission was led by the Coast Guard, involving a substantial international effort that likely incurred significant costs.

Determining the authority responsible for leading the complex investigation, which involves multiple countries, remains somewhat uncertain. OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the Titan, is based in the U.S., but the submersible was registered in the Bahamas. OceanGate, located in Everett, Washington, closed when the Titan was found. On the other hand, the Polar Prince, the Titan's mother ship, was from Canada, and the victims hailed from England, Pakistan, France, and the U.S.

Although the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board declared the loss of the Titan submersible a "major marine casualty" and indicated that the Coast Guard would lead the investigation, the Coast Guard has not yet confirmed its role as the lead authority.

Due to the challenging depths of the ocean, the deep-sea investigations are anticipated to be lengthy and meticulous. Complicating matters further is the fact that the realm of deep-sea exploration lacks robust regulation.

The Titan itself is likely to be a focal point of the investigation. Concerns have been raised about the vessel's unconventional design and the creator's refusal to undergo independent checks, which are standard in the industry.

Registration of the Titan as a U.S. vessel or with international safety regulatory bodies did not occur. Additionally, the submersible was not classified by a maritime industry group responsible for establishing standards related to hull construction.

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who was piloting the Titan during the implosion, criticized regulations, stating that stringent oversight hampers progress and innovation.

The approximate timing of the implosion has been partially determined. Following the Titan's reported disappearance, the Navy analyzed acoustic data and identified an "anomaly" on Sunday that aligned with an implosion or explosion in the vicinity of the vessel's last-known position when communication was lost. The Navy relayed this information to the Coast Guard, which continued the search due to the inconclusive nature of the data.

The Titan set off at 8 a.m. and was reported overdue in the afternoon, about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John's, Newfoundland. A swift response from rescuers dispatched ships, planes, and other equipment to the area.

Any remaining hope of finding the crew alive vanished early Thursday when the Coast Guard discovered debris near the Titanic wreckage.

The victims of the implosion include Stockton Rush, two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, British adventurer Hamish Harding, and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

Anticipated legal action following the incident is expected to be complex.