The host of the Discovery Channel adventure show “Expedition Unknown” took a diving trip in the same Titanic-bound sub that vanished over the weekend — but refused a second voyage because of safety issues that haven’t yet “been made public.”
Veteran explorer Josh Gates, 45, said Wednesday the missing OceanGate submersible, the Titan, “did not perform well” while he was aboard, so he turned down a chance to film the legendary shipwreck site.
“I had the unique opportunity to dive in the @Oceangate #Titan sub with Stockton at the helm in preparation for its maiden mission to Titanic,” Gates tweeted, referencing OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush.
“To those asking, #Titan did not perform well on my dive. Ultimately, I walked away from a huge opportunity to film Titanic due to my safety concerns w/ the @OceanGate platform,” he wrote.
He also hinted at potentially dangerous design flaws and past problems.
“There’s more to the history and design of Titan that has not been made public — much of it concerning,” he wrote.
The tourist sub disappeared Sunday while heading to the wreckage site with five people aboard, including billionaire Hamish Harding — prompting a heart-pounding search mission and race against the clock.
Industry experts and a whistleblowing employee had previously come forward with fears about the safety of the Titan — in part because OceanGate opted against certifying it through groups like the American Bureau of Shipping and Det Norske Veritas in Europe.
When Twitter users asked Gates why anyone would set foot on the tourist vessel, he replied that the trip was a thrilling chance to see a storied slice of history.
“To those questioning why people would dive to Titanic: the ship has fascinated the world since the night she sank. It’s a time capsule to another era of our history. It takes courage to make a trip like this. Admiration and prayers for the passengers aboard,” he tweeted.
“I pray for a positive outcome to the rescue efforts of those aboard.”
On Thursday, OceanGate Expeditions co-founder Guillermo Söhnlein struck an optimistic tone — saying he believes the time window available for the rescue is “longer than what most people think.”
The 96 hours of oxygen aboard the ill-fated vessel reportedly ran out at 7 a.m. Thursday, but he said the crew likely “realized days ago” they could “extend the limits of those supplies by relaxing as much as possible.”
With wires