Misa
Guest
hello. how much was the price /day/ 2 dives with Emperor ?
thanks.
thanks.
Marsa Alam - who to dive with?
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Misa
Guest
thanks, 300!
Yeah mate I've been diving with OWT a lot. It's a wicked experience. You don't really have to worry about the safety. They are pretty harmless creatures. They are very curious and they come right up to you. Many believe that this and that are aggressive behavior but the truth is that I've never seen an aggressive OWT. This is a pelagic animal and it cant let a big chunk of potential food pass without investigation. However, when it realize that you are not food it won't proceed into feeding mode.
Some think that when they are circling you closer and closer it's a sign that they come in for a bite but this is wrong. They circle you because they "see" you better in a "broad side position" with the lateral line (sensors along their body). They want to make sure that what they are approaching is not a threat to them so they come close slowly in circles checking you out.
Some also think that when the shark lower their pectoral fins it's an aggressive behavior which is also wrong. When a shark has its pectoral fins horizontally it's not so maneuverable sideways but with the fins lowered it can use them as rudders and it's sure of a quick getaway if needed.
When an OWT bumps in to you he feels what you are with their sensitive nose. This will tell it that you are not potential food and it'll lose all culinary interest.
These senses you can also use if you feel that the shark is getting to close to you. If you make a strong wave with your hands in the direction of the shark it will feel what to us would be a chock-wave and it will think that something huge is approaching. This will make it a bit weary and it'll be off like a prom dress.
It's a good idea to keep vertical body position which makes you look larger than if you hover horizontally. This way it's also easier to swivel around your own axle to keep the shark in view. The shark knows that you are watching it and that makes it a pit more careful in approaching you.
Many have asked me if there is a certain sound or colour that attracts them and it seems like they are attracted to low frequency sound. To roll an empty pet bottle between your hands helps sometimes. Then again it's hard to say if it's because of the sound or what the shark would have done anyway. Regarding the colours, this has been debated and some say they like yellow. I'm not too sure about that but they do seem to like strong contrasts. Maybe it looks like a wounded fish with silvery scales and darker flesh.
At the end of the day you don't have to worry about the OTW. That being said I do understand if your heart beats a little bit faster the first time you're eye to eye with a three metre long shark. I've done so many dives with them that I don't mind when they get close.
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Yeah this is also a rather debated topic... Of course the shark has the electrical sensors called ampullae of lorenzini and this can pick up fairly faint (5/1,000,000,000 of a volt) electric impulses from short distances. I have seen OTWs "twitch" a bit when a flash goes off. However, if this is because of the electric discharge or the light is hard to say. Regarding the hammerheads it's first of all quite difficult to get close enough either to blind them with light from the flash or electrocute their ampullae of lorenzini. They are in fact so shy that it's impossible to get closer than they initially come to you.
This goes for all sharks. If you swim toward them they keep the same distance and you can't "catch up" with a shark. The shark decide how close it want's to be and that's the closest you get.
You can find more info on the OWT on my website WELCOME TO AZIAB if you click on "longimanus" under environmental projects. There is Dr Elke Bojanowski with her interesting project.
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OP
InTheDrink
Contributor
Thanks Samaka, very interesting observations indeed. I particularly appreciate the 'little' tips like staying vertical and hand gestures to appear bigger and your thoughts on them dropping their pectorals not being aggressive. Funnily enough I found one Italian (I think) youtube video qualitatively different from English speaking ones. In this video the divers were actively touching the OWTs, rubbing their sides etc. and seemed very relaxed with them. I'm not sure I would do this but interesting to see that there may even be a cultural divide when it comes to interacting with sharks.
As I said, I'll post back probably last week in June. Can't wait for the trip and really appreciate all the insight from all posters - much appreciated, thanks.
J
As I said, I'll post back probably last week in June. Can't wait for the trip and really appreciate all the insight from all posters - much appreciated, thanks.
J
Just a note to make you happy...
Last few days there's been Ocianics around at Elphinstone. It's not that common for this time of year so I hope you're lucky and they are still there when you arrive. Let me know if you have a "night off" when you're here and we can meet up for a beer.
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Last few days there's been Ocianics around at Elphinstone. It's not that common for this time of year so I hope you're lucky and they are still there when you arrive. Let me know if you have a "night off" when you're here and we can meet up for a beer.
...a...
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