Director of the film about the vessel visited the wreckage 33 times. The US Coast Guard confirmed on Thursday (22) that the submarine imploded and five crew members died.
Comparison with the Titanic Disaster
Renowned Canadian filmmaker James Cameron, director of the iconic film “Titanic” (1997), made a surprising comparison between the submarine that imploded in an attempt to reach the wreckage of the ship at the bottom of the ocean and the actual disaster that occurred over a century ago.
Imploded Submarine and Deceased Crew Members
The United States Coast Guard announced on Thursday (22) that the submarine, which had been missing since Sunday (18) with five crew members on board, indeed imploded, and all individuals on board are considered deceased.
Experience as an Explorer and Filmmaker
In addition to his remarkable direction in the film about the 1912 disaster, James Cameron is also an experienced explorer of the depths of the ocean and has visited the Titanic wreckage an impressive 33 times.
Similarity to the Titanic Disaster
In an interview with the American channel ABC News, the director expressed his shock at the similarity between the submarine and the Titanic disaster. He compared the captain of the Titanic, who was repeatedly warned about the presence of ice ahead of the ship but continued at high speed through an ice field, with the current situation.
‘Titanic’ director James Cameron on the ‘catastrophic implosion’ of Titan submersible: “I’m struck by the similarity of the Titanic disaster itself, where the captain was repeatedly warned about ice ahead of his ship and yet he steamed at full speed into an ice field.” pic.twitter.com/vO8JkCXS5f
— ABC News (@ABC) June 22, 2023
Expertise in Submarine Engineering
As a developer of submersibles and someone knowledgeable about the engineering challenges involved in building such vehicles, Cameron stated, “I myself designed and built a submersible to reach the deepest point in the ocean, which is three times deeper than the Titanic.”
Exploration of the Ocean’s Depths
In 2014, the filmmaker conducted an expedition to the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, with a depth of nearly 11,000 meters. This experience was documented in his film “Ghosts of the Abyss” (2003), in which he invited his friend and “Titanic” cast member Bill Paxton to narrate the journeys and capture the most detailed images of the sunken vessel ever recorded.
Community Concerns and Certification
During the interview, Cameron revealed that many people in the community had concerns about the safety of the submarine. He mentioned that letters were written to the company, warning about the experimental nature of the project and the need for proper certification.
Loss of a Friend
Cameron shared a personal connection to the submarine disaster, revealing that he was close to one of the passengers on the Titanic. He mentioned, “Paul-Henry Nargeolet, the legendary French pilot, is a friend of mine. It’s a very small community. I have known him for 25 years. It is almost impossible to process the tragic way in which he died.”
By comparing the tragic submarine accident to the historic Titanic disaster, James Cameron emphasizes the importance of safety in underwater exploration and underscores the gravity of the incident, reinforcing the need for caution and appropriate certifications to prevent future tragedies.