February 03, 2025
Paige Haehlke
Tom Whalen ’01 at the helm of TITAN submersible investigation
The implosion of the TITAN submersible on June 18, 2023 gripped the world’s attention, and Lieutenant Commander Tom Whalen ’01 found himself at the center of the investigation into this devastating tragedy.
As the lead investigator for the United States Coast Guard, Whalen worked with international partners from Canada, France, and the United Kingdom to uncover the root causes of the incident and provide much-needed answers to the families of those lost.
Whalen’s role placed him in the global spotlight, front-and-center for the 11-day public hearing in August 2024, a broadcast event viewed by over 1 billion people worldwide.
“It was absolutely nerve-wracking and exhausting,” Whalen admitted. “Knowing that the Coast Guard had faith in me to handle this responsibility is what drove me to dedicate the last year and a half to this investigation. It was humbling to be one of the few people with deep insight into such a globally significant event.”
The investigation required Whalen and his team to sift through a mountain of evidence to piece together the chain of events leading to the implosion.
“We all had the same goal in mind,” Whalen explained. “To provide clarity to the public, closure to the families, and identify regulatory gaps to prevent future accidents.”
Whalen’s journey to this pivotal role began after his time at °Ç¸ç³Ô¹Ï, where he earned his degree before joining the Coast Guard. His 22-year career has been filled with diverse and impactful roles, including counter-narcotics operations in South America, training special forces in Iraq and Pakistan, and ensuring marine safety.
“When I decided to join the military, it took everybody by surprise; they viewed it as me wasting my degree,” Whalen shared. “But it made sense to me. I wanted to be part of something structured and bigger than myself.”
Whalen’s connection to the College remains strong, and he sees parallels between Lake Forest and the Coast Guard.
“Both are tight-knit communities where you can make a real difference,” he said.
As the investigation nears completion, Whalen is focused on compiling a comprehensive report outlining the Coast Guard’s conclusions and recommendations.
“I hope that when the report comes out, I can look at the affected families and say that I and the Coast Guard have done everything we can to provide them with answers,” Whalen said.
Whalen’s story is a testament to the impact of service, leadership, and the drive to contribute to something greater than oneself. His work not only honors the memory of those lost but also seeks to ensure safer exploration of the world’s depths in the future.