The US Coast Guard has successfully recovered a range of items, including a remarkably intact ink pen, during the ongoing investigation into the tragic wreckage of the OceanGate Titan submersible. This vessel, designed to carry tourists on deep-sea excursions, met a catastrophic fate during its descent to view the wreck of the Titanic in June 2023, resulting in the loss of all five individuals on board.

In a recent video shared on TikTok by Discovery, a member of the US Coast Guard detailed the methodical recovery process of the Titan wreckage. Among the notable finds was an ink pen identified as belonging to Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate. This discovery adds a poignant human element to the ongoing investigation, as it connects the personal belongings of those lost with the broader narrative of the tragedy.

In addition to the pen, Coast Guard divers and investigators recovered various artifacts, including business cards, Titanic-themed stickers, remnants of clothing, and even human remains. These items have been cataloged by the Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation (MBI), which is tasked with uncovering the circumstances surrounding the submersible's demise.

The Titan submersible was built from a combination of carbon fiber and titanium, intended to transport paying customers to witness the remains of the Titanic, located nearly 3,800 meters beneath the ocean’s surface. Unfortunately, during a descent in June 2023, the vessel suffered a catastrophic implosion, leading to the tragic loss of the five passengers onboard, including prominent figures such as Hamish Harding and Paul-Henry Nargeolet.

The video revealed how the recovery team navigated through the remnants of the Titan. The Coast Guard official likened the submersible’s endcap to a mixing bowl, which helped contain the items inside during the implosion. ‘Let’s consider the endcap to be a bowl, a mixing bowl,’ the official explained. ‘Items that were inside of the Titan at the time now become encased inside of the endcap.’ This understanding was crucial as it guided the recovery team in their sifting process.

Once the recovered materials were drained of water, the team was able to sift through what was described as ‘sludge-like’ remains, which included carbon fiber, fiberglass, and electronic components. It was during this careful examination that they discovered a sleeve from Stockton Rush’s suit. ‘We were all just kind of getting all-hands-in and separating what needed to be considered as human remains and what was just other wreckage pieces,’ the Coast Guard official noted. ‘As we were pulling it apart, that is how we realized it was Mr. Rush’s clothing.’

The sleeve was found ‘caked inside’ sand, encapsulating the ink pen, business cards, and Titanic-themed stickers. Remarkably, despite the violent conditions of the implosion, the pen remained undamaged. The Coast Guard member expressed their surprise: ‘Each one of those pieces, even the pen, was still intact. It hadn’t been broken. All of this debris, all of these things shattered but his pen was still intact.’ This resilience stands out amid the stark reality of the disaster.

Stockton Rush, who was a visionary in the realm of deep-sea exploration, played a pivotal role in the development and operational use of the Titan submersible for tourism purposes. His ambitious vision aimed to open new frontiers in underwater tourism, though it ultimately ended in tragedy. The Marine Board of Investigation continues to meticulously examine the recovered wreckage as part of their efforts to piece together the events leading up to the implosion.