During a frantic search and rescue mission for the missing tourists aboard the ill-fated Titan submarine en route to the Titanic wreckage site, OceanGate Expeditions drew attention when it was discovered that they had posted a job listing for a submersible pilot on their website.
Screenshots of the job ad circulated widely on social media, causing a buzz among users. The ad, which had been posted before the Coast Guard confirmed the tragic deaths of all five individuals on board the Titan, sought a “Submersible Pilot/Marine Technician” to assist in the management and operation of OceanGate’s fleet of manned submersibles and support vessels.
The ad emphasized the need for a dedicated and skilled individual with a combination of mechanical expertise and interpersonal skills, capable of working with sensitive marine equipment, performing regular maintenance, and operating complex systems to support dive operations.
The posting elicited a range of macabre jokes on social media, with one user quipping about the pressure of the job, and another humorously referencing reports that OceanGate used a $50 gaming controller to navigate the Titan submersible.
There were even jests about potential openings in upper management within the company.
While the company’s website has been taken down, the archived version of the ad can still be accessed through the WayBack Machine.
According to reports, the company’s main offices in Washington State have been closed indefinitely.
The job requirements listed in the ad include a willingness and ability to work offshore for extended periods, experience operating small boats, and working on large commercial vessels.
The ad presents the position as an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated professional seeking a long-term role with a growing company.
It describes the desired candidate as self-driven, flexible, positive, and capable of working effectively in a small and closely-knit team environment. The ad mentions a competitive salary, benefits package, and medical coverage.
Social media users expressed astonishment at the ad’s timing and context.
One Twitter user remarked that it was macabre, while another suggested the company might be searching for a new CEO. A different user wrote that the company should consider filing for bankruptcy.
Among the passengers on the ill-fated Titan were OceanGate CEO Rush, Titanic specialist Paul-Henri Nargeolet, UK billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, and Pakistani billionaire and mogul Shanzada Dawood, along with his 19-year-old son, Sulaiman.
