Why isn't Titan classed? (2019)
> OceanGate’s submersibles are the only known vessels to use real-time (RTM) hull health monitoring. With this RTM system, we can determine if the hull is compromised well before situations become life-threatening, and safely return to the surface. This innovative safety system is not currently covered by any classing agency.<p>> No other submersible currently utilizes real-time monitoring to monitor hull health during a dive. We want to know why. Classed subs are only required to undergo depth validation every three years, whereas our RTM system validates the integrity of the hull on each and every dive.<p>Completely, completely bizarro in my opinion. I'll take the hull that is proven to actually withstand the pressures it was designed for over some system that gives me a heads up before I get crushed to death.<p>Related question for those more knowledgeable. I always thought the primary benefit of carbon fiber was tensile strength. I don't even understand how it could sufficiently resist the compressive pressures at the bottom of the ocean - it is a fiber after all. Edit: After seeing the comments below about James Cameron, apparently I'm not alone. From James Cameron's Wikipedia page: "He was also critical of the use of carbon-fiber composite in the company’s Titan submersible, stating that the material has “no strength in external compression” when withstanding the pressure in deep sea environments."