Sharks in the Pacific: The Unprecedented Sinking of the Russian Ocean Way – TION
The vast, serene expanse of the Pacific Ocean hides many mysteries, but none as dramatic as the recent sinking of the catamaran, Russian Ocean Way – TION. This vessel, which was on a global expedition, met an unexpected adversary: sharks. A tale of survival, determination, and the unpredictable nature of the sea unfolds.
The First Strike
On September 4th, the tranquil waters of the Pacific were disrupted when sharks attacked the catamaran, severely damaging its rear-left pontoon. This led to the pontoon being completely submerged. Julia Kalyuzhnaya, the expedition’s shore team leader, speculated that the sharks might have mistaken the pontoon for some marine mammal, prompting the attack. “These are cookie-cutter sharks, prevalent in the Coral Sea. Their interaction with inflatable pontoons, like the one on the Russian Ocean Way – TION, is undocumented because no one has ventured into these waters on such a vessel before,” she explained.
A Second Assault
Despite the initial damage, the catamaran managed to cover about a hundred miles over the next day. However, as dusk approached on September 5th, the sharks returned, this time targeting the right pontoon. With both pontoons compromised, the vessel began to sink, prompting the crew to send out an SOS signal. Within 45 minutes, the cargo ship Dugong Ace came to their rescue.
Iscelus brasiliensis
The cookie-cutter shark, scientifically known as Iscelus brasiliensis, is a unique species of small shark that is part of the family Dalatiidae. Here are some key characteristics and interesting facts about this fascinating creature:
- Appearance: The cookie-cutter shark gets its name from the distinctive, round wounds it leaves on its prey. These wounds look as though they’ve been made by a cookie cutter.
- Size: They are relatively small, with mature individuals typically measuring around 20 inches (50 cm) for males and up to 22 inches (56 cm) for females.
- Habitat: Cookie-cutter sharks are deep-water sharks, often found at depths of 1,000 to 4,000 meters. However, they are known to come closer to the surface during the night.
- Feeding Mechanism: Unlike many other sharks that tear chunks out of their prey, the cookie-cutter shark attaches itself to its target using its lips and then extracts a plug of flesh using its sharp, serrated teeth. This results in a crater-like wound.
- Diet: They feed on larger marine animals, including other sharks, seals, whales, and large fish. The wounds they inflict are typically not fatal to their victims.
- Bioluminescence: The cookie-cutter shark has light-producing organs called photophores on its belly. This bioluminescence is believed to help them attract prey. The glow from their underside can make them appear smaller and less threatening to potential prey swimming beneath them.
- Distribution: They are found in warm, oceanic waters worldwide, especially near islands.
- Reproduction: Cookie-cutter sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning the female retains the eggs inside her body until they hatch, after which she gives birth to live young.
The cookie-cutter shark’s unique feeding strategy and its resulting signature wounds on marine animals have made it a subject of interest for marine biologists and researchers.
A Journey Fraught with Challenges
The global expedition, part of the “Following the Path of Russian Circumnavigators” project, began in July 2021. Spearheaded by Evgeny Kovalevsky and Stanislav Berezkin, the journey was no stranger to challenges. The trimaran they initially set out on required repairs at almost every stop.
In March 2023, while in the Pacific, the trimaran’s steering mechanism broke. Setting sail from the Chilean port of Talcahuano in late February 2023, the crew faced a storm in mid-March. Post-storm, they discovered the severe damage to the steering mechanism. Unable to repair it themselves, they sent out a distress signal. The cargo ship Sounion, with a Ukrainian-Filipino crew, responded. The rescue was perilous, with the trimaran being tossed about by the waves, making the transfer to the cargo ship a dangerous endeavor. “The trimaran was being thrown about three meters by the waves. To get onto the ladder dropped from the deck, we had to wait for the trimaran to be lifted by a wave. We had less than a second to grab the ladder before the cargo ship’s side shot upwards, and the trimaran dropped and bounced away,” recounted Stanislav Berezkin, the Russian vessel’s captain.
Once aboard the Sounion, the crew learned that their rescuers were Ukrainians. The cargo ship initially towed the trimaran, but it eventually broke free and sank.
Following this, Kovalevsky and Berezkin continued their expedition on a catamaran owned by Dmitry Trubitsin. After some modifications, it was renamed Russian Ocean Way – TION.
Lessons from the Deep
The ocean, with all its beauty, is unpredictable. The Russian Ocean Way – TION’s encounter with sharks is a stark reminder of the sea’s mysteries and might. For sailors and adventurers, it underscores the importance of preparedness, resilience, and respect for the ocean’s inhabitants. As we venture into the waters, let’s remember that we are but visitors in the vast marine world, and the sea always has stories to tell, some awe-inspiring, others cautionary.
