The US Coast Guard said it was leading an investigation into the loss of the Titan submersible that was carrying five people to the Titanic, to determine what caused it to implode.
The development comes as authorities from the US and Canada begin the process of probing the cause of the underwater implosion and grapple with questions of who was responsible for determining how the tragedy unfolded.
Yesterday the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said it was conducting an investigation into the incident and has been speaking with those who travelled on Titan’s mothership, the Polar Prince.
Captain Jason Neubauer, chief investigator with the US Coast Guard, said the salvage operations are ongoing, and they have mapped the accident site. He did not give a timeline for the investigation.
Captain Neubauer said the convening of a Marine Board of Investigation is the highest level of investigation conducted by the US Coast Guard.
Investigators are working closely with other national and international investigative authorities, including the US National Transportation Safety Board, Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the French marine casualties investigation board and the United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch, Captain Neubauer added.
Evidence is being collected in the port of St John’s, Newfoundland, in coordination with Canadian authorities. (ABC)