The U.S. Coast Guard launched a much-anticipated hearing on Monday in North Charleston, South Carolina, as part of its ongoing investigation into the deadly implosion of the Titan submersible. The tragedy occurred in June 2023 when the experimental vessel, operated by OceanGate, imploded during a dive to the Titanic wreck, killing all five people aboard, including OceanGate founder Stockton Rush.

The hearing aims to determine if any criminal negligence contributed to the disaster. Testimonies from ten former OceanGate employees are expected over the course of the proceedings. Monday’s session featured testimony from former OceanGate engineering director Tony Nissen, finance director Bonnie Carl, and contractor Tym Catterson. Key OceanGate figures, including co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein and former operations director David Lochridge, are slated to testify later in the week.

While the hearing seeks answers, several notable individuals are absent from the witness list, including Rush’s widow, Wendy Rush, who served as OceanGate’s communications director. OceanGate, which no longer has full-time employees, will be represented by legal counsel during the proceedings. The company’s leadership and operational decisions are under scrutiny, with a particular focus on safety protocols.

The investigation has already revealed a troubling history of safety concerns with the Titan submersible. These include recurring issues with drop weights and battery malfunctions, casting doubt on the overall safety standards adhered to by the company. A visual re-creation of the doomed submersible’s final moments was shown during the hearing, with one of the last messages from the crew reading “all good here” before the implosion.

The hearing is expected to uncover more details as it progresses, with implications for both the future of deep-sea exploration and regulatory oversight. The tragedy has already raised questions about the safety of experimental submersibles and the lack of regulatory frameworks governing their operation.