Complex endeavours require complex risk management, and high-reliability organizations recognize this. OceanGate did not plan for the complexity of its operations, with tragic consequences.
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Articles on Submersible
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The recent tragedy was an outlier; deep-diving submersibles have an outstanding safety record.
The Titan disaster happened in international waters, in a commercially operated vessel, and with victims of different nationalities. Any details that emerge will likely be treated with sensitivity.
Deep underwater, the Titan submersible would have been crushed in less than a second once a defect cracked the hull.
Most submersible designers would elect to have a classification society certify a vessel’s design. OceanGate made the conscious decision to refuse to do this for the Titan.
A team of rescuers has located debris from the Titan, indicating the end of search-and-rescue efforts. Risky undertakings need to assess the cost and capacity of any potential rescue needs.
From fluffy crabs that wear sea sponge hats to worms that glow in the dark, scientists are constantly finding amazing new life forms in the ocean.
Oceanographer Robert D. Ballard, who is best known for finding the wreck of Titanic, has written a memoir recounting his biggest discoveries and calling for more ocean exploration.
When you study volcanoes at mid-ocean ridges, doing fieldwork means becoming an aquanaut – diving thousands of feet to the ocean floor in the submersible Alvin, trading tight quarters for amazing views.
From offshore oil and gas to the homes of people with disabilities, this is emerging as one of the most exciting areas of tech.
Top contributors
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Harold T. Stearns Professor of Earth Science, Wesleyan University
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Associate Professor, School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, University of Adelaide
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Distinguished Professor of Geology, University of Florida
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Professor, Disaster & Emergency Management, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies & Director, CIFAL York, York University, Canada
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Associate Professor of Disaster and Emergency Management, York University, Canada
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Professor of Ocean Exploration and Science Communication, University of Southampton
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Associate professor of Forensic Science, Murdoch University
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Assistant Professor, Cognitive Robotics, Multiagent systems, Internet of Things, Heriot-Watt University
