James Cameron compares submersible tragedy to real Titanic, blames OceanGate CEO for passenger deaths
James Cameron pointed out a “similarity” between the OceanGate tourist submersible tragedy and the 1912 sinking of the Titanic ship.
“I’m struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field on a moonless night,” the “Titanic” director said during an interview with ABC News Thursday.
“And many people died as a result.”
Cameron, who has visited the historical wreckage numerous times himself, called it “astonishing” for a “similar tragedy” to take place after the owner of the submersible company, Stockton Rush, was warned not to go through with the dive.
He recalled in the televised interview that “top players in the deep submergence engineering community” wrote letters to the OceanGate CEO, warning him of the dangers before the voyage.
According to the “Avatar” director, 68, the professionals told Rush that his submersible was “too experimental to carry passengers” and that it needed to be further “certified” before taking people to the ocean floor.
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However, on Sunday, Rush, along with four other wealthy adventurers, went dark an hour and 45 minutes after embarking on its nearly 2.4-mile journey to the ocean floor to view the wreckage of the Titanic.
The five people who died during the trek were Rush, 61, Hamish Harding, 58, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77, Shanzada Dawood, 48, and his son Sulaiman Dawood, 19.
After a days-long extensive search and rescue mission, the US Coast Guard officials stated Thursday that they have concluded the passengers are no longer alive.
Officials positively identified debris on the ocean floor as that of the Titan submersible. It was confirmed that the sub had imploded at some point during the descent.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the family. I hope this discovery provides some solace during this difficult time,” Rear Admiral John Mauger said.
