The wreck of the Titanic, a buried treasure or an unexplored marine cemetery? The issue is the subject of a heated legal battle in the United States. As a reminder, on June 19, 2023, the Titan submarine sank in the Atlantic as he went to explore the Titanic. Its implosion killed five people on board, including a French passenger. The wreckage of the OceanGate-owned submarine was recovered after an intensive search, and speculation about the reasons for the tragedy has continued to grow. Despite this tragic event, the Titanic never ceases to fascinate. RMS Titanic Inc. recently announced plans for a new expedition to the illustrious wreck in May 2024, reports The Mirror. The objective is to “recover objects of historical interest”ranging from silverware to hull fragments. This announcement provoked a strong reaction from the US government who, according to sky news, strongly contests the project. They say entering the hull would physically disturb the wreckage, in violation of federal law and an agreement with the UK.
The US government protects the Titanic
Georgia-based company RMS Titanic Inc. claims to hold the “wreck salvage rights” and collaborates with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the American agency responsible for representing the public’s interests for this wreck. According to the company, the wear and tear of the Titanic has created openings allowing access without further damage the ship. However, the American authorities insist on the fact a government permit is required for the shipment to take place. RMS Titanic Inc. believes that it does not need such authorization for its project, thus triggering a legal battle before the court in Norfolk, Virginia. As our colleagues indicate, this is not the first time that the US government intervenes to challenge an expedition led by RMS Titanic Inc. This new legal battle, which echoes past cases, adds a new layer of complexity to an already very delicate question: is the Titanic a site to be explored, or a place of burial which must remain inviolate?