In a recent testimony before a US Coast Guard panel, concerns over the safety and certification of OceanGate's submersible, the Titan, were brought to light by industry experts. Patrick Lahey, co-founder of Triton Submarines and a competitor of OceanGate, expressed his apprehension about the submersible's prior glass dome design and emphasized the importance of certifying the vessel. Lahey highlighted that while classification is not mandatory for operating a deep-sea vessel, he personally would not sell a submersible without proper classification.

During the hearing, various witnesses also raised red flags regarding the design of the Titan. Antonella Wilby, a former OceanGate operations and engineering tech contractor, voiced her reservations and stated that she would not enter the submersible. Dave Dyer, an engineer from the University of Washington's applied physics lab, similarly expressed concerns about the vessel's design back in 2017.

Despite these safety concerns, former OceanGate mission specialist Fred Hagen offered a contrasting perspective. Hagen told the panelists that embarking on the Titan submersible for a journey to explore the Titanic wreckage up close was intended to be a thrilling adventure rather than a completely safe endeavor. He suggested that individuals who engaged in such expeditions should acknowledge the inherent risks involved and embrace the adventure despite the dangers.