Diving among sharks in a self-propelled cage

Lawrence Groth of Shark Diving International has designed a self-propelled ocean cage that is self-propelled and allows you to explore the deep in a unique way.

This unusual cage has its own propulsion system, and a ride in it is one of the unusual underwater attractions waiting for divers visiting the volcanic island of Guadalupe, located off the coast of California. Interestingly, the original purpose of the device was completely different, but with time it was expanded to include a commercial aspect.

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Traversing the ocean in its interior is an extraordinary adventure, during which guests gain a completely new perspective on the local waters and the white sharks that migrate to the area every year.

We first took the cage to Guadalupe in 2009. Back then everything was still in its infancy and a lot of things had to be done to ensure safety. It’s not a submarine, as many people think – it’s a self-propelled cage with four propellers, six propellers and two afterburners that weighs over 1,000 pounds. It is about 10 feet long and allows us to follow the sharks underwater without disturbing them.

Initially, the cage was built with the intention that it would be used to document feeding, fighting and breeding events, so that the animals could be approached in complete safety, as well as for scientific purposes and film projects. Today it is also part of the tourist offer in the tours organised by Pelagic Fleet.

Typically, we dive to a depth of around 10 metres and can stay there for 45 minutes. However, this is not an experience available to every diver, and certainly not to an inexperienced OWD certificate holder with only a few logged dives. In order to dive in a cage, the diver must feel comfortable while wearing a full face mask, as it is essential for communication between pilot and passenger, as well as for talking to the crew on the boat.

In the end, however, it seems worth taking the opportunity. Apparently, the vehicle offers the observation of representatives of marine fauna from a unique and inimitable perspective, and the experience is not only indescribable, but also unforgettable.