I’d be interested to see your proposal for ‘basic’ safety regulations for subs. When you get into the weeds of this stuff it is actually very difficult and costly.

We struggle to regulate giant industries, there is no chance we can regulate every crazy idea that someone wants to try out.

Submarines used for commercial use must be certified by DNV according to their safety standards.

It’s not that hard, and in any case complexity does not imply authoritarianism.

Then how did this vessel operate without?

To my knowledge DNV certification is part of insurance processes. The crew could have asked for such a certification if they wanted to reduce risk (they definitely had the cash).

Because it’s not a regulation.