Shivangi Sinha
The exact cause of the Titan submersible’s tragic failure remains shrouded in confusion and unanswered questions. Netflix’s ‘Titan: The OceanGate Submersible Disaster’ delves into the company’s evolution, exploring its ambitions, challenges, and the series of events that led to the catastrophe. Among the key voices featured is Rob McCallum, a seasoned expedition leader from New Zealand, who played a significant role in OceanGate’s early days. McCallum offered a revealing account of the alleged early warning signs he observed and shared candid insights into his concerns about CEO Stockton Rush’s decisions and leadership approach.
Rob McCallum Severed Ties With OceanGate After Allegedly Raising Concerns
Rob McCallum’s journey with OceanGate began in 2009 when he met Stockton Rush in Seattle during the company’s early days. At the time, OceanGate was focused on scientific research and educational outreach, particularly related to the exploration of Puget Sound, a complex estuarine system in Washington state. McCallum, a veteran expedition leader and co-founder of EYOS Expeditions, was drawn into the fold partly because he was one of the few people Rush knew who had successfully led an expedition to the Titanic wreck site. By the mid-2010s, he served as a consultant for OceanGate and helped shape the company’s operational strategies.
However, cracks in the partnership began to show. In the documentary, McCallum openly criticized the company’s terminology, particularly the label “Mission Specialist,” which he alleged was a legal loophole used to bypass stringent US passenger regulations. He also called into question the integrity of the carbon fiber testing procedures, stating that the methods employed lacked scientific rigor and transparency. One of McCallum’s final acts with OceanGate was his insistence on third-party certification for the submersible before it carried paying passengers. When this request was allegedly denied, he decided to cut ties with the company.
Rob McCallum Has Been Critical of OceanGate’s Operations Since the Accident
Since the Titan submersible incident on June 18, 2023, Rob McCallum has been vocal about the safety concerns he raised during his time consulting for OceanGate. It has been alleged that email exchanges between McCallum and CEO Stockton Rush, some dating back years, clearly reflect his early warnings. While the case remains sub judice and full details are still under wraps, McCallum has maintained that he observed troubling signs well before the disaster. Notably, in 2018, he signed a letter alongside dozens of other industry experts expressing deep concern about OceanGate’s operational practices and alleging that the company was disregarding essential safety protocols.
Rob McCallum is Serving to Protect and Conserve Oceans in Many Capacities Today
Rob McCallum is a pioneering force in global exploration and continues to define the cutting edge of expedition leadership and oceanic discovery. Since founding EYOS Expeditions in 2008, he has led the world’s foremost bespoke expedition company, taking clients to some of the most inaccessible corners of the Earth. EYOS has been instrumental in shaping modern expedition standards and offers both scientific and recreational missions to destinations as remote as the polar ice caps and the deepest trenches of the ocean. But McCallum’s influence reaches far beyond EYOS. He currently serves as a Board of Trustees member at Nekton, a non-profit dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans through science and storytelling.
His commitment to ocean conservation is further evident through his involvement with Ocean Census, a global alliance working to accelerate the discovery and protection of marine life, where he has served as a board member since May 2023. In June 2022, he joined the Galileo Project, leading an Interstellar Expedition as its Mission Planner and Expedition Leader. His appointment in June 2024 to the Advisory Board of DEEP, an R&D organization focused on engineering breakthrough technologies for deep-sea environments, reflects his continued dedication to innovation. That same year, he was named an Ambassador for the New Zealand Nature Fund, a role that aligns with his lifelong commitment to conservation.
McCallum is a dual graduate of Aberystwyth University and Lincoln University in New Zealand and was awarded the 2024 International Medal from Lincoln for his contributions to exploration. He is the deepest-diving New Zealander, having descended to the Challenger Deep (10,925 meters) in 2021. A licensed aircraft pilot and certified PADI Divemaster, he has also consulted for institutions like Harvard University, the Norwegian Navy, the National Geographic Society, and numerous philanthropic trusts and media organizations. With unmatched credentials and a relentless curiosity, McCallum continues to map the unexplored on Earth and beyond.
Rob McCallum is a Proud Father to His Son
Rob McCallum remains as passionate about exploration as ever, and he balances his high-profile professional endeavors with a grounded and committed family life. His wife, Kathy, shares his deep appreciation for nature and adventure and often accompanies him on select expeditions. Together, they have raised a son, Kai, and Rob is known to be a deeply present, hands-on father despite his demanding schedule. He often speaks about how the wonder of the natural world is something he wants to pass down to future generations, beginning with his own. While his professional life puts him in the spotlight, he maintains a notably private personal life. Those close to him describe him as thoughtful, loyal, and someone who values little moments with family just as much as the thrill of uncharted journeys.
Read More: David Lochridge: Where is OceanGate’s Ex-Director of Marine Operations Now?
