Shivangi Sinha
The OceanGate submersible tragedy left many questioning the safety and ethics behind deep-sea exploration. Netflix’s ‘Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Disaster’ dives into the events leading up to the incident and offers rare insight from those closest to the company and the incident. One such voice was that of Emily Hammermeister, a former employee who shared her experience working at OceanGate. She recalled the initial excitement of joining the team, the growing concerns she observed, and the culture that made it difficult to speak up. Ultimately, she reflected on why she stayed longer than she should have and what finally pushed her to walk away.
Emily Hammermeister Started Working at OceanGate While She Was Still in College
Emily Hammermeister’s journey with OceanGate began in January 2018, when she joined as an Operations Intern while pursuing a degree in Business Information Systems from the University of Washington. What started as an exciting opportunity soon took a more sobering turn. She was part of the early testing phase and was sent to the Bahamas for the submersible’s first deep-sea trials. As high-level staff began resigning and the cracks within the company, both literal and figurative, began to show, Emily considered leaving. However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she decided to stay on, prioritizing job security over her growing concerns.
A critical moment came just a week before a scheduled launch from St. John’s Island in the Caribbean when cracks were discovered in the sub’s hull, which forced a cancellation. The company quietly announced plans to build a new hull but gave little public explanation. In January 2020, Emily was promoted to Project Manager to oversee the new hull’s construction. She claimed the third round of testing also failed, with the hull showing cracks at just 3,000 feet, which was well below the intended depth of over 4,000 feet. Disillusioned by what she described as CEO Stockton Rush’s alleged disregard for safety, she eventually left the company. After news broke of the submersible’s disappearance, Emily said she felt physically sick. While the world speculated, she already feared the worst, knowing too well what might have gone wrong.
Emily Hammermeister Has Been Central to the Investigation Into the OceanGate Mishap
Emily Hammermeister has openly stated that she raised safety concerns about OceanGate’s operations while still employed there. Along with other colleagues, she spoke up about the submersible’s structural issues and the internal pressures to remain silent. She alleged that her warnings were dismissed and that she was advised not to question leadership decisions. Despite this, Emily continued to voice her concerns and has since been instrumental in aiding investigations into the company, including those led by the US Coast Guard. Just a month before her departure in September 2020, she took a public stand for employee welfare by advocating for social justice within the workplace and setting up a social justice committee. As part of this effort, she organized a fundraising campaign supporting Cocoon House, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting homeless youth.
Emily Hammermeister is Pursuing Her PhD Today
Emily Hammermeister has always believed in broadening her expertise, often juggling multiple roles. While finishing her final year at the University of Washington and still working at OceanGate, she began her journey with NewFields, a firm specializing in environmental, engineering, and construction management consulting, as a Contract Intern Scientist. Her versatility led to her being hired as a Contract Scientist in September 2019, shortly after graduating. When she left OceanGate in September 2020, she transitioned into a full-time role at NewFields as an Environmental Scientist.
In this capacity, she has been involved in environmental data analysis, field sampling, regulatory reporting, and site assessments. Her work helps clients navigate environmental compliance issues and promotes sustainable project development. She has continued in this role to this day and is working part-time. In September 2021, Emily embarked on a new academic journey and began her PhD at the University of Southampton through the prestigious National Oceanography Centre. Her research project, titled ‘Keeping Tabs on Ocean Acidification: Using Novel Technologies to Monitor Carbonate Chemistry from Polar to Tropical Waters,’ focuses on developing and applying innovative methods to track changes in ocean chemistry caused by increasing carbon dioxide levels.
Her work spans diverse marine environments, from the icy polar regions to warm tropical waters, and is helping scientists better understand the pace and impact of ocean acidification. In April 2025, she published her first peer-reviewed paper in the ACS Environmental Science and Technology journal. She is also a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian and got her Open Water Diver License in 2019. With appearances at major forums like the ICOS 2024 Science Conference, where she served as a plenary (keynote) speaker, Emily is rapidly becoming a leading voice in the field of oceanographic research.
Emily Hammermeister Prefers to Keep Her Personal Life Private
Emily Hammermeister currently resides in Southampton, England, where she is deeply engaged in her academic pursuits. However, she frequently travels back to Seattle, Washington, to spend time with her family and her family dog. Her parents, Tim and Donna Hammermeister, along with her sister, Joel Hammermeister, remain a strong support system and are very close to her. Despite her growing recognition in the scientific and environmental communities, Emily values her privacy and prefers to keep her personal life away from the public eye. Outside of her professional achievements, she maintains a low profile and focuses on her purposeful work.
Read More: Bonnie Carl: Where is the Former OceanGate Accountant Now?
