Great white shark jumps from sea into research boat

[FourScore]

Great white shark jumps from sea into research boat
Scientists off South Africa's Cape use crane and ropes to get disoriented half-ton shark back into sea
Xan Rice, in Nairobi
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 19 July 2011 17.28 BST


Marine researchers in South Africa had a narrow escape after a three-metre-long great white shark breached the surface of the sea and leapt into their boat, becoming trapped on deck for more than an hour.

The incident occurred while the research team was conducting a shark population study off Seal Island, near Mossel Bay, on South Africa's Cape coast.

Using sardines as bait to attract the predators, the seven-strong crew was able to observe four great whites. The animals are renowned locally for bursting through the surface as they prey on seals.

Dorien Schröder, team leader at Oceans Research, based at Mossel Bay, said that last Monday morning, after more than an hour of shark activity around the vessel, the Cheetah, the waters at the stern had been quiet for five minutes. "Next thing I know I hear a splash, and see a white shark breach out of the water from side of the boat hovering, literally, over the crew member who was chumming on the port side," she said.

Schröder recounted how she pulled her colleague to safety before the shark, weighing about 500kg (half a ton) landed on top of the bait and fuel containers. At first half of its body was outside the boat but in a panic the shark thrashed its way further on to the vessel, cutting the fuel lines and damaging equipment before becoming trapped between the containers and the stern. The crew found safety at the bow of the boat...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/19/great-white-shark-jumps-boat?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT6921

[SidDithers]

1. You're gonna need a bigger boat...n

Sid

[FLPanhandle]

4. You beat me to it.

:)

[CatWoman]

11. LOL

Wonder how many puddles had to be mopped up when that happened?

[slay]

20. rofl

:rofl:

[MrSlayer]

2. Awesome.

I'm guessing these guys haven't seen Jaws.

[Poll_Blind]

3. I am an atheist except during the window of time beginning when the 9-foot great white leaps into..

...my boat and ending when it goes safely back into the water. During that time, I'd probably be genuflecting with a half-eaten can of pork n beans if I thought it would help resolve the situation in my favor.

PB

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Being on that boat, at that moment, would be a sure cure for constipation.

[cloudbase]

6. That'll break up your afternoon. n/t

[DefenseLawyer]

7. Fonzie escaped unharmed

[LondonReign2]

8. But Fonzie jumped the shark

And in this case, the shark jumped the people

[DefenseLawyer]

9. As a wiser fella than myself once said...

Sometimes you jump the shark and sometimes the shark, well, he jumps you.

[Shagbark Hickory]

10. 3 meters? That's a far cry from what's shown in the pic. I can fit that in my kayak. nm

[stuntcat]

12. I'm glad they helped it!!

LOVE sharks!! :kick:

I saw that yesterday and the end of the story was they thought it would be okay.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

13. In Soviet Africa, shark jumps YOU!

[EFerrari]

14. #1 reason not to become a pirate.

[damntexdem]

15. Just trying to cooperate with the research. Got a little over-enthusiastic.

Great whites are so misunderstood. ;-)

[shireen]

16. flying sharks

i've seen video of those beauties off South Africa. Absolutely incredible They take my breath away.

Check out the natgeo website for some amazing photos like these.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/11/1124_031124_flyingsharks.html

[Solly Mack]

17. I'd've pooed my pants.

[AsahinaKimi]

18. Yikes

What a photo!


And to think they are RIGHT OFF THE SAN FRANCISCO coast. Well, with all the seals and sea lions we have, its no wonder they are attracted to the area. No way would I ever surf off a San Francisco beach.. plus its too damn cold, need a wet suit. (Wet Suit and Surf board, looks just like a fat seal from below!)

[Odin2005]

19. *CUE JAWS THEME*

[Omaha Steve]

21. Wow

And they didn't kill it. Released it. I would have R'd this if it wasn't to late.

[undeterred]

22. Isn't that called 'jumping the shark'?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

25. deleted

too similar to another post.


:hi:

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

23. based on the head line I expected to read:

the shark said 'I'm tired of swimming all the time. Swim, swim, swim. Swim in the morning, at noon and swim all night. I think I'd like to ride with you for a bit. That ok?'

[Prometheus Bound]

24. Looks like a cry for attention.

[Blue_Tires]

26. The sad part is that shark has an equally awesome story to tell

and absolutely none of his shark buddies will believe it -- He'll be labeled as a bullshitter for the rest of his life and be an outcast:thumbsdown: