NORCROSS, GEORGIA: A US expert recently predicted that tourist excursions will continue despite the devastating Titanic implosion that killed five passengers in June. Jessica Sanders, president of Royal Mail Ship Titanic, Inc., opened up about the submersible implosion as she explained how tourist trips to the Titanic wreck run the risk of severely damaging the already decaying site.
The US Coast Guard confirmed on June 22 that all five crew members on board the Titan died after OceanGate Expeditions' submersible suffered a "catastrophic implosion" during a voyage to the Titanic wreckage, which lies 12,500 feet beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. The tourists killed by the implosion included British billionaire and explorer Hamish Harding, Pakistani business tycoon Shahzada Dawood, his 19-year-old son Suleman, and Sanders' colleague, renowned French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Sanders stated that Nargeolet believed "it shouldn't be limited to a handful of people who can afford to go there." She shared his conviction that "everyone should have the opportunity to see the artifacts, and it shouldn't be restricted to millionaires, billionaires, the military, or filmmakers who can visit the wreck site."
Who is Jessica Sanders?
Sanders is the Chief Executive Officer of Experiential Media Group, LLC, and the President of RMS Titanic, Inc. She has also served on the Board of Directors of Premier Exhibitions, Inc. Prior to joining Premier in 2007, she owned and operated a graphic design firm, providing print and website development services to municipalities. Sanders' organization is dedicated to locating and preserving artifacts from the Titanic. As the President of RMST, she expressed her concerns about tourist visits to the site and emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the 1912 shipwreck.
“That’s part of our concern, and that was part of our concern when they started tourist expeditions,” she told NY Post when asked about the damage caused by the Titan implosion. “There have been a lot of expeditions in the last couple of years. They say that they didn’t do anything … We just need to verify,” she added. Sanders then clarified that officials “have no reason to believe that the Titan submersible came in contact with the wreck site. The investigation is ongoing.” She also expressed her concerns about the risks involved when the OceanGate Titan began tourist expeditions. "It's difficult because this one ended in a tragedy. But do I think the response is you should never be able to go? Then that contradicts a person that I deeply respected," she said.
'You can’t let your kids run free'
Sanders noted that submersible pilots must have the necessary expertise and adhere to strict guidelines to safely travel to the Titanic wreck. "It's kind of like going to a museum, you know," she explained, adding, "You can't let your kids run free." Sanders admitted that her feelings towards commercial excursions have changed as a result of the awful incident that occurred last month. "I think the world is done with that for this year, and would highly criticize anybody trying to go," she added. Although the examination is ongoing, the expert stated that it is doubtful the debris, which was positioned 1,600 feet from the ship's bow (front), caused harm to the Titanic wreck. Sanders pointed out that her team is exploring ways to "bring the wreck site to the public," so venturing into the deep sea is not their only option.
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