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NY Post
New York Post
23 Jun 2023


NextImg:Read the ‘iron-clad’ death waiver doomed Titanic sub tourists signed

The five passengers who boarded the doomed OceanGate Titan submersible which imploded on its way to the wreck of the Titanic signed an iron-clad agreement that protects the company from any liability for what could happen to the ship, including death.

The three-page document spells out the risks passengers take when riding in the 23,000-pound Titan, including eye-popping wording such as how the craft “has not been approved or certified by any regulatory body and may be constructed of materials that have not been widely used on human occupied submersible.”

The vessel suffered a “catastrophic implosion” during its descent instantly killing all five passengers aboard, according to the US Coast Guard, which is now heading the recovery operation to bring debris from the Titan to the surface and figure out what went wrong.

The document, which was provided to a passenger last summer, also states the signer would “assume full responsibility for the risk of bodily injury, disability, death and property damage due to the negligence of [OceanGate] while involved in the operation,” according to TMZ, who were first to publish it.

https://dam.tmz.com/document/b1/o/2023/06/22/b106a285e72448c3a7aef771402ffff0.pdf
via REUTERS

The company behind the ill-fated submersible designed to explore the depths of the sea covered itself from the perils of underwater exploration with a comprehensive liability waiver.

The company behind the ill-fated submersible designed to explore the depths of the sea covered itself from the perils of underwater exploration with a comprehensive liability waiver.
TMZ

TMZ
TMZ

The company also provided a litany of worst-case scenarios in covering itself from liability, including possible exposure to high-pressure gases, high-voltage electrical systems and “other dangers” that could lead to disability, injury or death.

Some of the Titan’s debris was found about 1,600 feet from the bow of the RMS Titanic. It’s still unknown what exactly caused the implosion, and recovery from 12,500ft below the surface is a difficult and costly procedure.

OceanGate founder and pilot Stockton Rush and four passengers —  British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, French Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani billionaire businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Sulaiman— all died aboard the sub.

This undated image courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions, shows their CEO and founder Stockton Rush.

This undated image courtesy of OceanGate Expeditions, shows their CEO and founder Stockton Rush.
OceanGate Expeditions/AFP via Getty Images

Vice-Chairman of Engro Corporation Limited Shahzada Dawood, who is said to be among the passengers onboard the submarine that went missing on trip to the Titanic wreckage is seen with his son Suleman Dawood in this undated handout picture.

Vice-Chairman of Engro Corporation Limited Shahzada Dawood, who is said to be among the passengers onboard the submarine that went missing on trip to the Titanic wreckage is seen with his son Suleman Dawood in this undated handout picture.
via REUTERS

The liability claim further states that family members of passengers who died riding the submersible should have no recourse to sue the company:

“As lawful consideration for being permitted to participate in the operation, and on behalf of myself, my heirs, assigns, personal representative, estate, and for all members of my family, including minor children, I hereby release, waive, and forever discharge OceanGate Expeditions, Ltd. …”

A now-viral TikTok shows what the “catastrophic implosion” might have looked like in a terrifying computer-generated re-enactment that shows the submersible curling into itself, which would have happened in a split second, according to experts.