Sand Tiger Shark

[divekraz]

I was diving this past weekend on the Dixie Arrow by Hatteras Village in N.C. We were diving on the Under Pressure with Capt. J.T. Barker which is a great outfit to dive with. We were mid wreck at 85fsw. and stationary for at least 2 minutes. I had just finished video filming a moray for 2 full minutes when my wife suddenly spun me around and I saw a 10' Ragged tooth aka Sand Tiger Shark coming straight at me. The pecotral fins were angled down. I automatically turned on the camera the second I saw the shark. It took less than 3 seconds for the shark to get me. When it was just a foot away I moved the camera towards him and he bolted.

I typically see at least 6 of these sharks on most dives in Hatteras and was told they were not aggressive. If my wife had not turned me around or if I didn't have my camera and lights on as he came at me, I'm not sure what would've happened. I have never been overly concerned about the Sand tigers as I understood they were not aggressive and many times I have been within a few feet of them when the swam by me. This particular shark was a big boy of at least 10' or more, probably the largest one I've seen to date. My wife says the internet claims the ragged tooth/sand tiger is the 4th most aggressive on the scale with 50/50 provoked and unprovoked attacks. I don't know if this is accurate or not.

If someone can explain how to add a 5 second video clip to my post I'll put it on so you can see what actually happened. I'm using a digital sony trv 70 camera with windows xp pro

I was wondering if this is atypical action of these sharks or is the internet correct and they are really more aggressive than I thought.

 

[Walter]

I don't have the answers to your question, but no shark routinely preys on people. Divers are less likely to be seen as prey than other people in the water. It is also true that sharks do sometimes attack divers with the intention of eating them. I expect a particular species of shark to act in a particular way. Sand Tigers are usually pretty docile. Judging from your post, you already knew that. Any shark can act in an unexpected manner. I'm very cautious of sharks, expecially big sharks of any species.

 

[Cudabait]

Walter said:

"I'm very cautious of sharks, expecially big sharks of any species"

I agree. I can't help with the video situation either, sorry.

Regards,

 

[rhyz]

What format/extension does it transfer to on the pc? avi? If so I usually use a proggie called VirtualDub. Or if it comes in another format PM and I'll find out. I do alot of video editing, only home stuff though and very basic crap so far.

 

[mdmbike to scuba]

See buddies do help:mooner: You might try sjspeck he knows the video stuff really well. I would love to see the video. So try to PM him...Mark

 

[duckster3d]

i do it this way i post it to youtube.com and then post the link like this..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckP6sqXA77g

it works pretty good.

 

[Blacthorn]

the sand tiger might have been concerned that you didn't have the camera on and had wasted 2 mins filming said moray, so he was just trying to help out and was going to make sure the camera was on, when he saw the red light, he backed off...

 

[Scuba Brad]

Dive Kraz, Will the five second clip be before or after you changed swim trunks?

I think I would have blown thru my remaining air rather fast at that point.

Be safe my friend.

Happy Diving

 

[divekraz]

I was diving this past weekend on the Dixie Arrow by Hatteras Village in N.C. We were diving on the Under Pressure with Capt. J.T. Barker which is a great outfit to dive with. We were mid wreck at 85fsw. and stationary for at least 2 minutes. I had just finished video filming a moray for 2 full minutes when my wife suddenly spun me around and I saw a 10' Ragged tooth aka Sand Tiger Shark coming straight at me. The pecotral fins were angled down. I automatically turned on the camera the second I saw the shark. It took less than 3 seconds for the shark to get me. When it was just a foot away I moved the camera towards him and he bolted.

I typically see at least 6 of these sharks on most dives in Hatteras and was told they were not aggressive. If my wife had not turned me around or if I didn't have my camera and lights on as he came at me, I'm not sure what would've happened. I have never been overly concerned about the Sand tigers as I understood they were not aggressive and many times I have been within a few feet of them when the swam by me. This particular shark was a big boy of at least 10' or more, probably the largest one I've seen to date. My wife says the internet claims the ragged tooth/sand tiger is the 4th most aggressive on the scale with 50/50 provoked and unprovoked attacks. I don't know if this is accurate or not.

If someone can explain how to add a 5 second video clip to my post I'll put it on so you can see what actually happened. I'm using a digital sony trv 70 camera with windows xp pro

I was wondering if this is atypical action of these sharks or is the internet correct and they are really more aggressive than I thought.

HERE'S THE VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX8o60T6J9U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX8o60T6J9U

 

[TheFoggyMask]

I don't have any experience with spotting the subtlties of shark posturing, but it looked like he was just checking you out. I know that a sixgill was checking out one of my buddies in cove two (on a previous dive, I wasn't with him) and the shark practically collided into his head with its mouth.