A year after the Titan tragedy, a sub is planning to go back to the Titanic to make a point

A year ago, the world watched in horror as a multinational search began for a commercial sub and five passengers that, days later, would end in tragedy.

A year ago Tuesday, the world watched in horror as a multinational search began for a commercial sub and five passengers that, days later, would end in tragedy. The agonizing spectacle sent a chill through the small but growing community of deep-sea submersible enthusiasts. OceanGate, the controversial operator behind the ill-fated sub, folded shortly after officials revealed the vessel had imploded on its way down to the site of the Titanic. With OceanGate closed for business, the market for Titanic sub tourism appeared to slam shut. But rather than tanking the entire industry, the event created an opportunity for submersible operators to double-down on their messaging around safety, and cast OceanGate as a rogue startup. One leading sub operator, eager to demonstrate that the Titan sub failed to live up to the industry standards that can make trips to the ocean floor relatively safe, is already planning its own journey to the wreckage of the Titanic, where Titan was headed before it collapsed. “If there is any positive to draw from the situation, the legacy will be that there is further investment being made in deep ocean submersibles,” said industry leader Triton Submarines, in a statement.