Port Lincoln, or, Here There Be Monsters...

Some time ago, the lads and I tried unsuccessfully to go cage diving down in Port Lincoln, SA. Determined, and with the odds on our side, we took another trip down there last winter to attempt it again.

We had a 4th with us this time - Ben, who was a welcome addition to the group, along with the original three, Carl, Brett, and myself.

For what we got up to while we were down there, please refer to the previous installment (minus Tunarama, sadly).

Instead, I'll get straight to the important part.

We woke up before the sun once again, and loaded onto the boat. Most of us were of the same mind that if we didn't see sharks this time, we'd commandeer the ship, sail to South Africa, and have better luck there.

The sun glowed ominously on the horizon.

We were treated to a stunning sunrise as we made

our way out toward the dive site.

There had been considerably more great white activity observed in the past week, so we couldn't help but be in high hopes. Shortly after arriving at Neptune Island, we discovered our hopes were not in vain.

Annnnnd one more sunrise shot in case you didn't

believe me.

The cage was lowered into the water, and we watched as 3 or 4 massive sharks swarmed the ship, coming greedily after the chum and tuna pieces in the water. At one point, one of the larger (5m) sharks flailed a bit by the cage when another group was in there. When it was our turn, we noticed that a portion of the aluminum caging had snapped and bent inward. Excellent.

Eventually, it was our turn to go in.

And I assembled this delightful little video montage for all of you:

It's difficult to really put into words what one feels down there. You're aware that you're out of your own element. You can breathe just fine, and the safety of the ship is a frantic spawning salmon leap away. But you're also aware that the only thing between you and a 5-meter long fish with hundreds of teeth is a small bit of aluminum caging (which, if the earlier discovery is any indication, isn't a whole lot).

Oh, and you're also basically marinating in blood and fish guts.

Best not to think about that one.