So here are my thoughts. The first end cap (the one with viewing portal) was grooved for an O-ring. Probably should have been cut for 2 seals. But, ok, technically speaking the pressure at the bottom should/will keep everything in place. For peace of mind, I would insist on using all the bolts if I were running the program. I would never use carbon fiber as the shell between the two end caps. I understand the science says blah, blah, about it being stronger than steel. Common sense tells you it is a fiber with a polymer spilled into it. That's a real no go. Every time an audible crack was heard it was another step into failing all together. Cracking the relief of stress. It is not normal, regardless of what OceanGate said. There is a lot about the engineering and testing of the sub we don't know. But I sure would like to know.
Josh Gates surmises that Stockton Rush may have had some creditor or investor pressure. Maybe. We need a forensics computer tech to go find banking info, texts, emails, etc. IF Rush was feeling the pressure, then maybe, just maybe he piloted dive 81 knowing he wasn't coming back. Dick move? Yep. Would it look suspicious to the outside world that only he got killed? Probably a subsequent investigation would support that. Double dick move coming up, suppose he piloted dive 81 and took tourists? Would having a fatal accident throw an investigation off the scent of financial issues? Maybe. Focus could be more so on the tourists, than Rush. Remember, he always said "this is an experimental sub". Sign this waiver please.
We'll never know the full story. SR meeting his end might be the only justice that can be found. For 250k, I can get my jollies topside without the risk. I'm for sure certain of one thing, when the sub collapsed death was instant. Bones and human tissue pretty turned into instant pudding and found its way into the surrounding ocean and Titanic claimed more victims. Somehow, there is some kind of negligence here. OceanGate is responsible it.