OceanGate’s former operations director David Lochridge, who blew the whistle on safety concerns he had with operations at the company, outlined gaps and holes in the carbon fibre hull of the Titan, which he says was addressed by spraying truck bed liner onto the hull.

The submersible imploded while descending to the site of the Titanic in June of 2023, killing all five people on board, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush.

Lochridge yesterday outlined clashes he had with Rush over safety issues he flagged.

He also presented two images of some of the five-inch carbon fibre used to construct the Titan—which he called “this abomination of a submersible,” which showed “de-laminations and voids”….including a section through which you can actually see light.

The carbon fibre was part of excess cut-off following the winding process that was given to customers and staff.

He showed two images, one of a segment of layers of carbon fibre showing clear gaps and separations, and the other showing light that could be seen through the back of the panel.

“You can see the cuts, you can see the delaminations, it was so visible,” Lochbridge told the hearing. On the second image, showing points of light, Lochbridge explained “that is me shine a torch through the back, that one section itself, that’s a five inch section of carbon fibre, that is part of the hull winding.”

Lochridge says he highlighted the imperfections repeatedly and “was constantly put down about it” with assurances that...

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