'Crush Depth: The USS Chopper Incident' Now Available on Prime Video

The USS Chopper deep divers attend the premiere of Crush Depth on September 10 at AMS Pictures in Dallas, TX.

New documentary recounts the harrowing true story of a U.S. Navy submarine disaster and the sailors who survived

DALLAS, TX, UNITED STATES, September 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- “Crush Depth: The USS Chopper Incident,” a new documentary chronicling one of the most extraordinary survival stories in U.S. Navy submarine history, is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

In 1969, the USS Chopper, a U.S. Navy submarine operating off the coast of Cuba, suddenly plunged toward crushing depths. With the submarine descending toward certain implosion, its crew prepared to die. In the midst of the crisis, one sailor made an impossible choice; one that could either save everyone aboard or seal their fate.

Told through riveting and deeply personal testimony from the men who survived, “Crush Depth: The USS Chopper Incident” recounts a remarkable story of catastrophe, courage and a miracle no one aboard believed possible.

On September 10, AMS Pictures hosted a premiere of the documentary in Dallas, bringing together eight of the USS Chopper deep divers featured in the story, along with their families. The evening offered an opportunity to recognize the sailors, share the film with the people closest to the story and commemorate an event that has remained largely unknown outside of the submarine community for more than half a century.

“We’ve been waiting 57 years for this story to come out,” said Rolan Cook, who survived the ordeal. “And we are beyond thrilled by this excellent production.”

“It was emotional,” added Dan Duncan, another survivor.

“It was hard for us to watch, but it was absolutely perfect,” said Jack Merrill, a torpedoman who survived. “There are a lot of things that go on that don’t get told. This needed to be told.”

Crush Depth combines firsthand interviews, archival material and dramatic storytelling to place viewers aboard the USS Chopper as the crew confronts a rapidly unfolding disaster a thousand feet beneath the surface.

The film is written and directed by Brad Osborne, produced by Marisa Thomas, and executive produced by Andy Streitfeld.

The documentary is available now to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

About AMS Pictures
AMS Pictures is a Dallas-based full-service multi-media production company specializing in independent documentaries, as well as unscripted content for networks such as Lifetime, PBS, REELZ, History and many others. Original series and specials include “Hindenburg: The Cover-Up,” "#TextMeWhenYouGetHome," "Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection" and "I Am Alive: Surviving the Andes Plane Crash."

Amanda Metz
AMS Pictures
press@amspictures.com

Crush Depth: The USS Chopper Incident Trailer