Outrage has been voiced by relatives of the ill-fated Titanic passengers over what they term ‘distasteful’ and disrespectful tours to the site of the 1912 shipwreck, recently brought to attention by the calamitous voyage of the OceanGate Titan submersible.
For these family members, the Titanic shipwreck, which claimed the lives of 1,496 people, represents a solemn underwater cemetery and not an attraction for thrill-seekers.
John LoCascio, a descendant of two Titanic victims, chastised OceanGate for profiting from what he views as irreverent visits to the somber site. “What is your purpose, to stare?” LoCascio questioned those patronizing the tours. He, along with other kin, called for a halt to such excursions, emphasizing the importance of preserving the dignity of their ancestors’ final resting place.
OceanGate itself faced disaster recently when its submersible, Titan, vanished with five occupants on board. The incident triggered an urgent search as the sub’s oxygen levels dwindled. Debris from the Titan was found on June 22, with it being acknowledged that its crew perished due to the vessel’s implosion. Titanic victims’ relatives questioned the appeal of such perilous adventures, referring to them as a profound tragedy and asking why anyone would spend $250,000 for such an experience.
Certain relatives, such as Brett Gladstone and T. Sean Maher, suggested that should these visits persist, they should be highly regulated and conducted with utmost respect. Shelley Binder, a descendant of a Titanic survivor, argued in favor of studying the wreck respectfully for scholarly purposes rather than mere touristic interest.
The stance taken by these families underscores their desire for the final resting place of Titanic’s victims to be accorded the respect and dignity it deserves, serving as a poignant reminder of the ship’s tragic narrative and the lives it took.