Eight hours after OceanGate’s submersible lost communication with the surface crew, it was reported missing to the Coast Guard, and that’s when the world united, hopeful that something could be done. But it, unfortunately, turned into watching the recovery efforts fall apart.

Two months have passed, and we now know more of the details of the ill-fated excursion. Members of a popular online forum have been sharing what bothered them most. Here is what’s been on their mind.

Devastating Aspects of the Ill-Fated Journey

There were a lot of devastating aspects of the ill-fated journey to the Titanic. What their families were going through, the speculations, the race against time, and finally, the confirmation of the implosion were heartbreaking to think about.

What saddened you the most about the Titanic submersible tragedy?

A reader posted on a popular online platform asking people what they found the saddest moment about the tragedy, and here is what others responded with. 

The Fearless 19-Year-Old Who Embarked on a Journey Relying on His Father’s Judgment

Many people felt sorry for the teenager accompanying his father on the ill-fated trip. “That a father took his son on what must have seemed like the treat of a lifetime, but it ended his life,” said one of the responders.

All five passengers on board died, but from the thread, many people could not help but empathize with the college student who had his life ahead of him. 

The Overshadowed Story of the Catastrophe That Reportedly Claimed 500+ Lives

It turns out there was a ship that capsized and killed over 500 refugees and migrants in Greece just a few days before the submersible tragedy. The fishing vessel was so overcrowded it reportedly didn’t move for seven hours before it capsized. 

One commenter shared that it saddens them that a ship that killed so many poor people barely got any media coverage, while a submersible that killed five billionaires was all over the media houses worldwide. 

The responder said, “It saddens me that this tragedy completely overshadowed the loss of over 500 lives in a ship in the Mediterranean a couple of days before the sub was lost. They were refugees, and the sub contained five rich guys.”

The Thrill-Seekers Who Chose to Confront Danger Despite Knowing the Stakes

OceanGate’s CEO was vocal about how dangerous the submersible was. He clearly had broken many rules but did not shy away from making this known. 

One commenter who thought the tragedy was avoidable said, “The CEO — now among the deceased — ignored all engineering requirements for a submersible to descend to that depth. And, in a few interviews, he even seemed to boast about that — as if that was a “selling point” or a “marketing” or a “P.R.” advantage — “you will be in danger, just as those passengers on the original vessel were in danger!”

Besides, the passengers had to sign a comprehensive waiver highlighting the danger involved, yet they still decided to take the risk. 

Another user added, “It was entirely avoidable; using carbon fiber to make up the bulk of the sub’s pressure hull was an unforced error; when I heard that carbon fiber was used in the sub’s construction, my blood ran cold.”

The Whistleblower’s Termination: When Speaking Up for Safety Cost the Engineers Their Job

OceanGate reportedly fired a former employee for raising safety concerns about the submersible. It was a case of losing out after standing up for a good cause. 

After the termination, OceanGate sued the engineer claiming that he shared confidential information, misappropriated trade secrets, used the company for immigration assistance, then manufactured a reason to be fired.

It was clear to the professional that the materials used could not sustain the deep sea pressure. Still, it did not end well for him as one responder said, “OceanGate fired the engineer who said that the Titan couldn’t handle pressures as deep as they needed to go, just for speaking the truth, and refused to pay for materials that could handle those pressures.”

The Uncalled-for Mockery on Social Media

As much as the world was united in that devastating moment, ignoring the masses making fun of the situation was hard to do. Yes, it was an avoidable mistake. Yes, they are billionaires that people love to hate. Still, the mockery was in such bad taste, as one commenter said, “The callous sardonicism I’ve seen in so many liberal circles has been shocking. I want fewer billionaires in the world, but by taxing them. Not allowing them to be blown up.”

“Honestly? (What saddens me most is) how horrible people’s reactions were about it. Look, I want to eat the rich as much as the next guy, and stupid, arrogant mistakes were made, but a kid died,” another added. 

That It Was Not Necessary

It is so devastating that they died sightseeing. Let’s get it clear; exploration is not a necessity. Yes, it leaves our hearts full, adrenaline pumped, and our curiosity fulfilled, but everyone can do without it. 

One responder could not get over the fact that the trip was not for anything apart from exploration. 

They said, “That it was for nothing. Suppose the people aboard that vessel had been marine biologists discovering new species, geologists mapping an undersea fault line, or even marine engineers studying the wreck of the RMS Titanic hoping to learn lessons. In that case, their deaths during an intrinsically dangerous activity might have had some meaning.”

But looking on the positive side, these people died doing what they loved to do. For instance, Paul-Henri Nargeolot, the French researcher who perished in the submersible, had already been to the Titanic site a dozen times. It was obvious that he liked being there and it was no wonder he was nicknamed Mr. Titanic. 

The High-Stakes Race Against the Unforgiving Tides of Time

Let’s be honest here; many of us were holding onto the hope that they would be found before the oxygen ran out. When the vessel lost communication, some people were on social media expressing their confidence that it had imploded. But then, plenty of people kept checking every few minutes for updates, hoping that the five passengers would be found alive. A big part of holding onto this was for the passengers’ families, especially for the woman who would lose a son and a husband. 

One user said, “I was on pins and needles the whole time, and the night before the oxygen was due to run out, I kept waking up to check if the sub had been found.” 

I am confident many people relate to this commenter. The world has moved on, but we still remember this unforgettable tragedy and the hope we had they would be rescued.

Most Dangerous Jobs in America, Ranked

Uncover the sobering truth behind the top 10 most hazardous jobs, where courageous individuals face danger every day in order to keep the very fabric of American society from unraveling. The fatality rates presented in this article are based on the number of deaths per year per 100,000 full-time employees, assuming a standard work schedule of 40 hours per week and 50 weeks per year.

Most Dangerous Jobs in America, Ranked

Most Dangerous Cities in the World, Ranked: Know Before You Go

These are 10 most dangerous cities in the world, where stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage collide with alarming crime rates. We’re not saying don’t travel to these locations, but it’s important to be aware in order to stay safe.

Most Dangerous Cities in the World, Ranked: Know Before You Go

Here’s What Travel Was Like 100 Years Ago

Travel has definitely improved over the past 100 years. And by the way, if you’re thinking 100 years ago was back in the 1800s, you might be showing your age…100 years ago was 1923 and Americans were hitting the road in their new-fangled automobiles.

Here are ten things you might expect if you traveled across America 100 years ago.

Here’s What Travel Was Like 100 Years Ago

This article was produced by Our Woven Journey. Featured Image Credit: OceanGate.