The United States Coast Guard has launched the highest level of investigation into the deaths of five men on-board OceanGates’ Titan submersible.
The US Coast Guard says it is convening the Marine Board of Investigation into the loss of the submersible, the highest level of investigation under its banner.
The MBI will be led by Chief Investigator Captain Jason Neubauer, and will work with many organizations world-wide, including the Canadian Transportation Safety Board.
The investigation is currently in its initial phases in collecting on-scene evidence.
Captain Neubauer says after the initial phase concludes, they will hold a formal hearing to gather additional witness testimony and evidence.
He says during the MBI, they will primarily work to determine the cause of the causalities, however, they are also responsible for accountability aspects of the investigation. If necessary, it can make criminal or civil recommendations to the proper authorities, although those bodies would then conduct a separate investigation.
Superintendent Kent Osmond
Meanwhile, RCMP say it would have been inappropriate to launch investigative action during the search and recovery effort for the Titan submersible.
A team of RCMP investigators is examining the circumstances that led to the deaths of five men on board the OceanGate submersible.
In a news conference Saturday afternoon, Superintendent Kent Osmond announced the team will be digging to see if a full investigation by police is warranted.
He says the investigation will only go ahead if there is a chance that criminal federal or provincial laws were broken.
