CLEARWATER, Fla. — One Clearwater man has visited the Titanic wreckage 14 times. G. Michael Harris did not get there via the OceanGate expedition.
Harris believes OceanGate didn't follow safety protocols.
"It’s horrifying at this thing was even allowed to put a human being in it," Harris stated.
Harris is the founder of the company that owns the Titanic wreckage. He’s dived down to the wreck 14 times. His son broke the record for the youngest person to dive to the wreckage at 13 years old in 2005. He doesn’t believe OceanGate’s submersible is the safe way to get down there.
"The submersible from OceanGate is literally built in a garage," he explained. "With no training, no classifications, no certifications."
He also says the OceanGate Expedition isn’t for just anyone.
"It is an incredibly horrific, dangerous environment to be in," Harris explained.
He believes those who are trained and survey the wreckage should be the ones who go down there. Harris went on to say if something happens 2.5 miles under the ocean surface, it can be deadly.
"Anything that happens at that depth, you implode," Harris said.
Those who have done the OceanGate Expedition understand the dangers. Passengers with OceanGate signed waivers saying they understood the dangers. Harris believes no one should have been allowed on the OceanGate Titan submersible.
"There is no reason on God's green earth that anyone should have been in that submersible, much less pay a quarter of a million dollars," Harris stated.
He believes after this tragedy they should change the rules.
"There has to be some type of regulation, just for the simple fact that you’re talking human life," Harris said.
According to OceanGate's court filings, at least 46 people successfully traveled on its submersible to the Titanic wreck in 2021 and 2022. Still, the company has faced criticism for years.
In a statement, OceanGate called the men true explorers and said, "Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time."