How to Balance Innovation with Compliance: Lessons from the OceanGate Tragedy

In the aftermath of the recent tragedy involving OceanGate’s submersible, the internet was filled with opinions and speculation about the cause of the incident. While I understand that any loss of life in an accident is a heartbreaking reality, I chose not to take sides or make uninformed judgments about the event, especially as information emerged regarding safety concerns.

Tragedy is even more difficult to bear when it could have been prevented. It is also unreasonable to assume that OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush would intentionally put himself or his customers in harm’s way. He must have had a strong belief in the safety of his operations and submersible to continue to ignore safety concerns and embark on that ill-fated journey into the depths.

This article is prompted by the dogged conviction in one’s innovative ideas, to the point of disregarding clear and reasonable warnings.

To Innovate or Comply, That Shouldn’t be the Question

The OceanGate tragedy is a stark reminder of the need to balance compliance and innovation in business operations. On June 18, 2023, OceanGate’s submersible, the Titan, suffered a catastrophic implosion during its descent into the North Atlantic Ocean. The five crew members on board, including OceanGate’s CEO, were on a tourist expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic. Tragically, the Titan never reached its destination and all on board were killed.

Many industry experts had expressed concerns about the safety of the submersible. OceanGate executives, including the CEO, did not seek certification for the Titan, arguing that obscenely safe regulations hindered innovation.

To make matters worse, OceanGate continued to advertise its expeditions to the Titanic wreckage even after the Titan tragedy. It was only a few days ago that the company announced the cancellation of future expeditions. Could this indicate a culture of disregard for customer safety within the company?

This tragedy highlights the fact that compliance is not just a box-ticking exercise, but a crucial component of responsible business operations. Adherence with regulations and industry standards is designed to ensure that businesses operate safely and responsibly, protecting not only their employees and customers but also the wider community.

The Cost of Noncompliance

In the business world, there is a growing trend towards innovation. Companies are constantly looking for new ways to improve their products and services. Innovation is important for businesses to remain competitive and to drive progress. However, it should never come at the cost of safety and compliance.

Take the case of a company that introduces a new product that does not comply with safety regulations. The company could be subject to fines, forced to recall the product, or even be shut down. Additionally, the company could lose the trust of its customers and investors.

In some instances, the cost can be catastrophic, both in terms of human lives and financial consequences. In the case of OceanGate, five people lost their lives and the company’s reputation has been severely tarnished.

The international search effort to locate the missing Titan came at a significant cost. The US government has already spent more than $1.2 million in the search for the submersible.

Compliance Should Be on the Menu

The OceanGate incident is a reminder that compliance is not just about following the rules. It is about protecting people and a company's reputation. Companies that fail to comply with safety regulations are putting themselves and others at risk. They are also risking their financial future and their ability to innovate.

Customers should consider safety and other compliance issues an important factor prior to doing business with an organization. The government should prioritize enforcement without stifling innovation.

To stay compliant, businesses should develop a comprehensive compliance program that covers all of their operations. There must be a conscious effort to build a culture of compliance and train employees on the importance of compliance and the consequences of noncompliance.

Regular audits should be conducted to ensure that the compliance program is effective. By being proactive and addressing compliance issues as soon as they arise, businesses can reduce their risk of noncompliance and protect their bottom line.

Towards a Balanced Innovation

It’s true that OceanGate continued to operate successfully despite the warnings until the recent tragedy. However, compliance should not be ignored; it should be viewed as an investment rather than a cost or nuisance.

The benefits of operating safely and responsibly far outweigh any short-term gains that may be achieved by cutting corners on compliance and safety. To prevent unintended consequences and ensure long-term success, businesses must strive to strike a balance between innovation and compliance.