Documentary Reveals OceanGate CEO’s Unconventional Publicity Ideas Before Titanic Sub Disaster

A new Netflix documentary, *Titan: The OceanGate Disaster*, reveals that OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush had considered inviting rock band Pearl Jam aboard the Titan submersible as a publicity stunt. The Titan tragically imploded during a descent to the Titanic wreck on June 18, 2023, killing all five people onboard, including Rush. According to videographer Joseph Assi, who was recruited to help generate promotional material, OceanGate sought to raise awareness about their deep-sea missions by involving celebrities. Assi claims Rush floated ideas like bringing Pearl Jam on a dive or developing a futuristic floating city that could submerge. The Titan’s final dive ended catastrophically when the vessel lost contact at 10,825 feet, with wreckage later found on the Atlantic Ocean floor. The documentary confirms that the craft was crushed by deep-sea pressure, leading to instant fatalities. While Rush had previously completed 13 successful dives to the Titanic, previous passengers reported disturbing noises during the trips. The documentary has received moderate critical acclaim, scoring 6.7/10 on IMDb and 69% on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, Pearl Jam, unaware of the proposal, continues their music career, having released their album *Dark Matter* in April 2024 and scheduled to perform at the Ohana Festival in California in September 2025.