Netflix’s new documentary,Titan: The OceanGate Disaster, includes interviews with many former OceanGate employees, including the former Director of Marine Operations, David Lochridge. Directed by Mark Monroe, the newNetflix documentaryexplores the events of June 03, 2025, when the underwater tourism and expeditions company, OceanGate, organized an expedition to the wreck of theTitanic, which sank in the Atlantic Ocean in 1912 after hitting an iceberg on its maiden voyage. One hour into the expedition, the submarine, calledTitan, unexpectedly imploded near the ship’s wreck, killing all five passengers on board.
The Netflix documentary, released nearly two years after the tragic events, exploreshow OceanGate’sTitansubmarine imploded, the missed warning signs that were ignored by the company that could have prevented the tragedy from happening. The interviews with investigators and former OceanGate employees provide new insight into the company’s initial plans to expand their underwater tourism business,Titan’s doomed 88th expedition, and the investigation that took place in the months after the tragedy. One former employee interviewed wasDavid Lochridge, who shared his perspective on the events and how his concerns were ignored by the company.
Why David Lochridge Was Fired By OceanGate’s CEO, Stockton Rush
David Lochridge Was Fired In 2018
A native of Scotland, David Lochridge began his marine career as a member of the Royal Navy, after graduating from high school; from there, he progressed to working as a commercial diver, technician, submersible engineer, and ROV pilot, before joining OceanGate in 2015 as the Director of Marine Operations and Chief Submersible Pilot. During his time working at OceanGate,Lochridge served as the head operator of the company’s submersibles,but earned himself a reputation among the staff as a “troublemaker” for openly expressing his opinions and his concerns about the real safety of the underwater expeditions.
Lochridge recalled how OceanGate’s CEO, Stockton Rush, began to slowly turn against him after Lochridge spoke about the dangers faced during a visit to the wreck of theSS Andrea Doriain 2016.Lochridge revealed that he “started getting cut out by senior management” and was “dropped from all emailcommunications” regarding the Titan project,but still carried out a thorough inspection of the submersible. In the Netflix documentary, Lochridge revealed he composed “a very nice email” where he outlined the risks and concerns regarding Titan’s structure, only to be fired by Rush on June 16, 2025, one day after submitting the report.
Why David Lochridge Dropped His OSHA Case Against OceanGate
Lochridge Sued OceanGate For Wrongful Dismissal
InTitan: The OceanGate Disaster, Lochridge spoke about how, during his dismissal, he was shocked at how OceanGate “were willing to play Russian roulette” during their underwater dives. Just a few weeks after his firing, Lochridge filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, where he expressed his concerns aboutStockton Rush and OceanGate’s plansand the safety of the Titan. OSHA investigator, Paul McDevitt, stated that the investigation was “pretty strong.” But although Lochridge was advised that he would be protected,OceanGate discovered his responsibility and filed a lawsuit against him for breach of contract and fraud.
Lochridge described OceanGate’s lawsuit as an attempt to “keep [him] quiet so they could proceed with the project,” so he retaliated by filing a countersuit, suing OceanGate for wrongful termination of his employment. However, in November 2018, Lochridge agreed to settle out of court with OceanGate for an undisclosed amount, and he dropped the lawsuit with OSHA the following month. Lochridge later stated that he believed that the investigation by OSHA was taking too long, and he and his wife weren’t in a strong financial position at the time to continue with the lawsuit against OceanGate (viaMovieDelic).
Where Former OceanGate Pilot David Lochridge Is Now
David Lochridge Testified At The Official Titan Inquiry
Following his lawsuit, Lochridge remained out of the public eye for several years before appearing at the official inquiry into the Titan implosion in September 2024.During the inquiry, Lochridge testified about how his concerns regarding the submersible’s structural safety were ignoredby Stockton Rush and OceanGate. He also elaborates on how he decided to counter-sue OceanGate in federal court so their work “would become public knowledge and the public [would] have complete information” about the planned Titan expedition. Lochridge said that if he had been in a better financial situation, he would have continued with his initial lawsuit.
ThroughoutTitan: The OceanGate Disaster, submersible consultant, Rob McCallum called David Lochridge “the unsung hero” of the events.
As of June 2025, David Lochridge is reportedly living a quiet life in Washington with his wife and daughter, while frequently traveling to the UK to visit family (viaThe Tab). During the official inquiry, he stated to investigators that due to the dismissed warnings and the negligence of OceanGate regarding safety, the Titan’s implosion in 2023 was “inevitable” (viaThe Guardian). ThroughoutTitan: The OceanGate Disaster, submersible consultant, Rob McCallum, called David Lochridge “the unsung hero” of the events, as he was one of the first people to notice the structural flaws and ignored safety regulations that could have potentially prevented the tragic implosion.
Sources:MovieDelic,The Tab,The Guardian
Titan: The OceanGate Disaster
Titan: The OceanGate Disaster delves into the 2023 submersible tragedy, exploring the unchecked ambition and decision-making that led to catastrophe. Featuring firsthand accounts and expert insights, the film examines the ignored warnings and pervasive hubris within OceanGate, presenting a reflective investigation into the events that unfolded.
