Patrick Lahey, the co-founder of Triton Submarines, OceanGate’s rival, told Stockton Rush about concerns he had with the Titan’s prior glass dome design when he saw the submersible in 2019, and stressed the importance of certifying the vessel.

OceanGate Expeditions is the company that constructed and operated the Titan submersible. The company, based in Everett, drew on expertise from the University of Washington and Washington State University to help construct its marquee underwater vehicle designed to take paying customers to view the wreckage of the Titanic.

OceanGate's former engineering director said he had refused to pilot the ill-fated submersible which imploded more than a year ago.

A witness got emotional recounting the day of the doomed Titan submersible dive while testifying during the U.S. Coast Guard's hearing into the deadly implosion.

OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush was among five people who died when the submersible imploded en route to the site of the Titanic wreck.