In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that a former employee of OceanGate Expeditions sent an email years ago expressing serious safety concerns about the ill-fated Titan submersible. The email also contained an ominous warning about the company’s CEO, Stockton Rush, who tragically lost his life along with four others when the vessel imploded during a dive in the North Atlantic last month. The details of this concerning email were reported by The New Yorker.

The former employee, David Lochridge, who worked for OceanGate as an independent contractor in 2015 and later as an employee from 2016 to 2018, reached out to another ex-associate, Rob McCallum, expressing his worries about the potential failures of the Titan submersible. Lochridge’s email specifically raised alarm about Rush’s reckless pursuit of boosting his ego at the expense of endangering lives.

Lochridge’s concerns about the safety and testing of the Titan led to a legal dispute with OceanGate, as he claimed wrongful termination for speaking out about these issues. According to The New Yorker’s report, Lochridge emphasized the danger associated with the submersible and boldly stated, “There’s no way on earth you could have paid me to dive the thing.”

McCallum, a seasoned divemaster who had led expeditions to the Titanic, had also voiced his concerns to Rush in 2018, warning him about the potential risks involved with the Titan submersible. McCallum believed that Rush’s decisions were putting both himself and the clients in grave danger.

Tragedy struck on June 18 when the OceanGate vessel, approximately one hour and forty-five minutes into its planned dive to explore the remains of the Titanic, lost contact with its mother ship. Several days later, authorities confirmed the devastating news that the Titan, a 23,000-pound craft constructed from carbon fiber and titanium, roughly the size of a minivan, had suffered a “catastrophic implosion.”

The identities of the five men onboard the ill-fated submersible have been revealed as Rush, British businessman Hamish Harding, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani billionaire Shahzada Dawood, and Dawood’s 19-year-old son, Suleman Dawood.

This distressing incident has raised serious questions about the safety protocols and testing procedures employed by OceanGate Expeditions. The revelations from Lochridge’s email and McCallum’s warnings paint a concerning picture of a submersible plagued by potential hazards.

As investigations continue into the cause of the catastrophic implosion, it is crucial that authorities thoroughly examine the safety measures in place and hold accountable those responsible for any lapses that may have contributed to this tragic event. The loss of five lives serves as a somber reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in all maritime endeavors.