Warnings over the safety of OceanGate's Titan submersible were repeatedly dismissed by the CEO of the company, email exchanges with a leading deep sea exploration specialist show.
In messages seen by the BBC, Rob McCallum told OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush that he was potentially putting his clients at risk and urged him to stop using the sub until it had been certified by an independent agency.
Rush responded that he was "tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation".
McCallum says the tense exchange ended after OceanGate's lawyers threatened legal action.
He wrote to the OceanGate boss in March 2018 that he thinks Rush is potentially placing himself and his clients in a dangerous dynamic.
McCallum said that in his race to Titanic, Rush is mirroring that famous catch cry: 'She is unsinkable'".
In the messages, Rush, who was among five passengers who died when the Titan experienced what officials believe was a "catastrophic implosion", expressed frustration with the criticism of Titan's safety measures.
McCallum told the BBC that he repeatedly urged the company to seek certification for the Titan before using it for commercial tours.
The vessel was never certified or classed.
The company has not commented on the email exchange.
Source:BBC
