Eerie images have been unveiled following the recovery of an intact memory card from the wreckage of the ill-fated OceanGate Titan submersible. The vessel, with a value of $4.2 million, collapsed in June 2023, approximately 372 miles southeast of St John’s, Newfoundland, in Canada, resulting in the tragic loss of all five individuals on board.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has disclosed disturbing visuals found on the Titan sub’s camera memory card subsequent to their final report on the disaster, confirming that structural flaws led to the vessel’s implosion. The camera, positioned on the external surface of the Titan’s hull, was designed to capture video and images at depths of up to 6,000 meters.
The NTSB’s Vehicle Recorder Laboratory successfully extracted 12 still images and nine video clips from the SD memory card within the camera. Analysis by tech publication Tom’s Hardware suggests the memory card is a SanDisk Extreme Pro 512GB model, priced around £60 on Amazon.
Despite the shattered lens seen through the sapphire optical window, the camera’s external shell remained intact due to its durable titanium construction. The front optical window, crafted from synthetic sapphire crystal, shielded the lens and internal components, enabling the device to endure the implosion.
Several retrieved videos indicate underwater settings based on similar lighting and surroundings. Additionally, the NTSB identified the Launch and Recovery System (LARS) utilized to deploy and recover the OceanGate Titan submersible during training or missions. One video depicts a diver near the Titan, outfitted with flippers and an apparent oxygen tank.
Moreover, the NTSB recognized a diver in the footage from his diving attire, linking him to Missions 1 and 2 of 2023. Further images and videos captured scenes in May 2023, showcasing locales in Holyrood and activities at the Marine Institute in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
The NTSB report highlighted the potential storage of data either on the camera’s memory or an attached computer, depending on the setup. The investigation concluded that the camera was likely set to store data on the onboard computer on May 16th, with no recorded data on the SD card post that date, indicating no data related to the fatal voyage or dive.