Sharks Prevent Russian Overseas Expedition Sinking Catamaran In The Pacific

• 6.09.2023, 9:28

The catamaran broke and began to sink.

Sharks attacked the crew of the Russian Ocean Way round-the-world expedition in the Pacific Ocean, about 835 kilometers southeast of Cairns. This was the second predator attack in the last two days. Sharks damaged the catamaran, and the crew had to be evacuated, leaving the vessel. The Tomsk Branch of the Russian Geographical Society reported.

The first attack of сookiecutter sharks happened on September 4, and then the rear left balloon of the catamaran was damaged. It finally submerged under water. The travellers lasted about a day facing emergency situations, they managed to run about a hundred miles.

On September 5, at 11pm, sharks again attacked the catamaran. Sharks bit and damaged the right balloon. The catamaran lost stability and began to sink. The crew sent out an S.O.S.. The Dugong Ace cargo ship rescued the travellers. The crew took them from the catamaran, but could not save the catamaran - it was left in the open ocean.

It is noteworthy that one of the crew members, Evgeny Kovalevsky, took part in a similar expedition in 2012. Then the cookiecutter sharks also attacked his catamaran.

The cookiecutters are small sharks (reaching only 42-56 cm in length). It occurs in warm waters, mainly near the islands. Despite its medium size, it feeds on larger predators - in groups, cookiecutters attack great white sharks, fur seals, sea elephants and even whales. Cases of attacks on people have also been recorded.