Stories1 min(s) read
Published 17:58 27 Aug 2020 GMT
Sharks are one of the world's most feared apex predators, but generally speaking, they don't pose much of a risk to us humans... generally speaking.
But one rare incident of a shark closing in to attack was recently captured on film when an eight-foot shark approached members of the US Coast Guard who were enjoying a swim in the ocean.
Cutter Kimball's crew had been away from dry land for weeks when they decided to go for a swim, but their pleasant dip took a turn when a shark was witnessed approaching the group.
Watch the moment the coastguard opens fire on the shark below:
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Thankfully, the shark was spotted in plenty of time as an armed "shark watch" had been positioned on the main deck of a boat around 50 yards away from the ship.
The watcher fired several shots at the shark and this was enough to scare the predator off.
The incident was later recounted on the Coast Guard's Facebook page.
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The post reads: "As if right out of a Hollywood movie, a 6-8 foot shark (no exaggeration) surfaced at the Rescue Door and was swimming toward 30-40 people in the water about 30 feet away. Everyone on the Flight Deck had a bird's eye view.
"A review of video shot by a crew member reveals it was likely a Long-Fin Mako or Pelagic Thresher Shark - not something to mess with!
"ME1 Cintron, our shark watch, was on the Flight Deck and immediately locked on target...literally!"
The post continued: "Our animal-lover Chief who wants to save every animal she finds yelled, 'Shoot it!'
"ME1 Cintron fired a well-aimed burst right at/on top of the shark to protect shipmates just feet away. It turned away for a few seconds then turned back.
"The shark would wave off with each burst but kept coming back toward our shipmates."
Everyone present at the scene, including the shark, is reported to have left uninjured.
Everyone bar a crew member who, ironically, hurt a tattoo in the most unbelievable place...
"The only injury was a small scrape OS3 Berk suffered while climbing aboard. Our hyper vigilant HSC didn't even deem it worth a band aid," the officer added.
"But where was it located you ask? On his knee....in the centre of a tattoo. What tattoo, you ask? An open set of shark's teeth. Seriously, you can't make this up!"
While this frightening experience might inspire most people to take at least a few days of well-earned rest, these men were completely unphased and decided to incorporate what happened into that evening's very entertainment.
The post concluded: "The crew's top requests for movies on the Flight Deck that night were Jaws followed by Sharknado (seriously).
"The shark is definitely making the Patrol t-shirt."
