Kiwi deep-sea explorer reveals his safety warnings were ignored before sub implosion disaster

The recent tragic incident involving a lost submersible that claimed the lives of five individuals has shocked the world.

This week Jono and Ben spoke with Rob McCallum, a renowned Kiwi deep-sea explorer, who had raised significant safety concerns prior to the disaster. Despite his warnings, the CEO of the ill-fated submersible ignored them, resulting in a devastating loss of life. 

McCallum had expressed reservations about the safety measures being taken before the ill-fated expedition. He had participated in multiple dives to the Titanic wreckage and possessed extensive experience in exploring the ocean's depths. However, his concerns went unheeded, and the tragedy unfolded as he had feared. 

One of the primary issues raised by McCallum was the use of carbon fiber as the primary building material for the submersible. Unlike predictable metals, carbon fiber is known to erode and change over time, making it an unreliable choice for such a critical structure. Additionally, McCallum had concerns about the quality of materials and the dismissive attitude toward safety raised by the CEO. 

"The most alarming thing to me was the culture when their chief pilot raised a lot of safety concerns. He was not only ignored, he was dismissed from the company and then taken to court," McCallum explained.

The submersible's controller, resembling a PlayStation controller, also raised eyebrows. McCallum clarifies that such remote controllers are not common in certified submarines. By introducing unnecessary Wi-Fi or Bluetooth communication, additional risks are added to the system, potentially jeopardising control over the submersible. 

Addressing the possibility of a rescue, McCallum explains, "Not in this instance because the sub imploded." The speed at which the implosion occurred would have made any external assistance futile. The human brain takes 25 milliseconds to process such information, while the implosion occurs within 2 to 4 milliseconds, leaving no chance for survival. 

Despite the tragedy, McCallum finds some relief in the confirmation that those on board did not suffer a prolonged and agonizing fate. He emphasizes the need to learn from this disaster and calls for regulatory bodies to tighten loopholes that allowed such negligence to occur. 

As the interview concluded, McCallum shared his insights on exploring the ocean's depths. He describes the beauty of the Titanic wreckage and the tranquility experienced in the submersible's cocoon-like environment. Shedding light on the rich biodiversity found in different ocean depths, he emphasizes the importance of preserving and understanding these fragile ecosystems. 

Listen to Jono and Ben's interview Rob McCallum in full above.