The family of a French explorer, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who tragically lost his life in a submersible implosion during a voyage to the Titanic wreck site, has filed a lawsuit seeking over $50 million in a wrongful death claim. The lawsuit alleges gross negligence on the part of OceanGate, the operator of the submersible. The incident, which occurred in June 2023 in the North Atlantic, resulted in the deaths of Nargeolet and four others. The experimental submersible, owned by OceanGate, imploded during the expedition, leading to the suspension of the company’s operations.
Known as “Mr. Titanic,” Nargeolet, a renowned expert on the Titanic wreck, had made multiple visits to the site in the past. The lawsuit, filed by the Buzbee Law Firm of Houston, Texas, states that the submersible had a troubled history and crucial information about its flaws was not disclosed by OceanGate. Despite being designated as a crew member, Nargeolet was allegedly unaware of many shortcomings of the vessel.
OceanGate, based in Washington state, declined to comment on the lawsuit, which was filed in King County, Washington. The attorneys representing Nargeolet’s estate aim to uncover the causes of the incident and hold all responsible parties accountable.
Following the tragic accident, questions have been raised about the Titan submersible’s design and the creator’s resistance to independent safety checks. The incident has also sparked concerns about the future of private deep-sea exploration. The U.S. Coast Guard initiated an investigation, with a public hearing scheduled for September to delve into the circumstances surrounding the implosion.
The Titan made its final dive on a Sunday morning in June, losing contact with its support vessel shortly after. A search and rescue operation located the wreckage approximately 984 feet off the bow of the Titanic, 435 miles south of St. John’s, Newfoundland. The implosion claimed the lives of Nargeolet, OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, British adventurer Hamish Harding, and two members of a Pakistani family.
Meanwhile, RMS Titanic Inc., the firm holding salvage rights to the Titanic, embarked on its first expedition to the wreck site in years. The late Nargeolet, former director of underwater research for RMS Titanic, is remembered as a seasoned professional who would not have participated in the ill-fated expedition if all relevant information had been disclosed.
