OceanGate Announced Two New Hires

OceanGate Inc., which provides underwater manned submersible services for industry, research and exploration, has hired two team members as it expands to do more deep sea expeditions and build a fleet of manned submersibles, announced the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Stockton Rush.

David Lochridge joins OceanGate as Director of Marine Operations with a diverse 25-year career in marine operations around the world as a manned submersible pilot, commercial diver, ROV pilot and marine engineer. Lochridge is responsible for ensuring the safety of all crew and clients during submersible and surface operations, for maintaining and operating all OceanGate submersible assets, and for achieving mission objectives during submersible expeditions.

Tony Nissen joins OceanGate as Director of Engineering to provide leadership in the research and development, operation, design and troubleshooting of all OceanGate manned submersibles and their supporting assets, including launch and recovery equipment.

OceanGate recently conducted an expedition to capture detailed closeup sonar scans of the legendary shipwreck Andrea Doria near Nantucket. The company is also building Cyclops 2, a five-person manned submersible that will be capable of reaching depths of 13,000-feet.

Lochridge began his career as a marine engineer and ship’s diver in the Royal Navy. He is an expert in the field of submarine operations and rescue, including experience as a manned submersible pilot tasked with maintaining and operating the LR5 manned submersible under contract to the Royal Navy; operating the DSAR6 on contract for the Singaporean Navy; and as lead submersible pilot for the refit and commissioning trials of URF MK11 manned submersible for the Royal Swedish Navy. Lochridge was also the chief sub pilot aboard M/Y Octopus and the submersible Pagoo.

Nissen began his career in the late 1980s as a U.S. Navy deep sea diver, electronics technician, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Reserve Unit trainer. He left a distinguished military diving career to install and certify the first multi-place hyperbaric medicine facility in the State of Utah. During his career, Nissen has designed, inspected, and/or certified systems under the regulations and requirements of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Naval Sea Systems Command, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).