It’s been discovered that OceanGate, the company behind the ill-fated submersible designed to explore the depths of the sea reportedly protects itself from the perils of underwater exploration with a comprehensive liability waiver.
The tourist submarine, a 21ft submersible operated by OceanGate Expeditions went missing after contact with the vessel was lost around an hour and 45 minutes after it submerged.
Search and rescue officials said the men likely died on Sunday, June 18, before military planes using sonar buoys detected what they thought could have been SOS ‘banging’ sounds in the water.
The victims have been identified as OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French Navy veteran Paul-Henri (PH) Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman, who was just 19.
A document obtained by TMZ, which was used on a trip last summer, repeatedly mentions the risk of serious injury or death, and tells passengers they assume the risk without any recourse against the company.
OceanGate also stated that even if it’s negligent in the design or operation of the vessel, the passengers have no legal recourse. The document states, “I hereby assume full responsibility for the risk of bodily injury, disability, death, and property damage due to the negligence of [OceanGate] while involved in the operation.”