Director of “Titanic” and surprisingly, also a pioneer in submarines, James Cameron, has been harshly critical of the makers of the Titan submersible, which recently suffered a tragic accident at sea. Cameron fears that this tragedy, which claimed the lives of the company’s CEO and four tourists, could have a negative impact on the exploration of the deep sea.
Cameron, known for his numerous trips to the Titanic wreck site and extensive film career, accuses OceanGate of ignoring safety protocols and expert warnings, leading to the destruction of decades of pioneering advances in the field. .
James Cameron finally talks about the OceanGate tragedy and its consequences for the future of exploration
The renowned director was deeply sorry for the situation, especially for the similarity between this tragedy and the Titanic disaster. “One of the saddest things about this is how preventable it really was,” Cameron told the BBC. “And that to me was the biggest tragedy of all.”
Cameron points out that submarine travel is considered a “mature art” and that since 1960 there have been no serious incidents, making it the safety standard and allowing many specialists in the area to continue making giant advances. “Not only have there been no fatalities, but there have also been no major incidents,” he said.
The director expresses his concern that this tragedy will affect the reputation of everyone involved in underwater exploration and that it may result in even stricter regulations that curb future missions. “I am concerned that we will be labeled with the same brush,” he warned.
James Cameron is outraged by the Titan submarine accident
The Canadian director also referred during the interview to a letter sent by leading underwater engineering experts warning OceanGate about the lack of certification of its Titan submarine. “Many people in the community were very concerned about this submarine,” he said.
OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Söhnlein defended the Titan’s development, noting that it was put through rigorous testing during a 14-year technology development program. Although he recognized the importance of certification, he said that the focus on safety should not ignore the work that went into the design and construction of the submarine.