[PSUBS-MAILIST] Titan submersible missing at Titanic site

[Jon Wallace via Personal_Submersibles]

 I am sure there will be some effort to restrict private submarine dives on the Titanic, but I agree with you and do not foresee a major impact to our recreational use of submarines.  This story is already off the front page and as you suggest, other world events are going to take the spotlight.
However as you also suggest, we need to remain vigilant and ready to defend our hobby from unreasonable government intrusion.  We need to think of ourselves as a lobbying entity and act accordingly when necessary.  We need to continue to promote building and operating our submarines in accordance with accepted industry standards.  We need to be careful with our responses when people propose working with exotic or unproven designs and materials.  I think supporting innovation is fine if it is performed in a methodical and open manner that is open to critique by the group.
Jon

    On Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 12:54:35 PM EDT, John Bussard via Personal_Submersibles <personal_submersibles at psubs.org> wrote:  
 
 Excellent discussions all around here.
I think it’s a reasonable assumption that most people participating in this endeavor receive some degree of skepticism or shock at the notion of taking this on oneself: Bear in mind there’s a difference between PR and opinion, and while there is some risk of knee-jerk reaction in the wake of these events, two things that I believe keep us insulated
1) The incredibly short memory of the general media-consuming public.  Willing to bet a cold beverage of one’s choosing that in another week or so, deep sea design criteria will not be on anyone’s radar.  There’s already some craziness in Russia, give that another day or two and tack on a vocal and reactionary personal attack from opposing political perspectives on a topic of your choice, and the interest will fade.  
2) The lack of potential impact.  Generally one’s errors have impacts on others, and that’s what generally drives greater outrage, and stamina for that outrage.  Any threats to general aviation (As a risky, technically demanding parallel) generally occur when "public safety” is invoked.  However, see topic #1 and consider the last time there has been a restriction based on that safety demand. (By now the biggest threat gen av faces is in the form of environmentally based arguments.)  The impacts in submersible operations are remarkably insular.  (Any public outrage will also be tempered in the Titan instance by the belief that wealthy people deserve anything they have coming.)  Yes the SAR bill is a large one, and I believe that will become the overriding sentiment in discussions on the matter.
The two points lead me to believe that this event poses little threat to the majority of PSubs membership.  But it’s certainly worth being prepared in the event transport regulation does turn a large eye towards the group.  
Has there been any similar turn in the past?  Do folks here believe holding up ABS (or similar) criteria will be sufficient?  
John




  
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