Imagine kicking off Memorial Day weekend with a 20-foot shark swimming past your boat. That’s exactly what happened off the Northeast coast, and yes — it was all caught on video.
Boaters near Block Island in Rhode Island were out enjoying the long weekend when a massive dorsal fin suddenly sliced through the water. The incredible moment was filmed and shared with WKYC Channel 3 Providence, which confirmed the footage appeared to show a basking shark, one of the ocean’s true gentle giants.
More: Cops Save Man from Bridge in Dramatic High-Risk Rescue After Police Chase Ends in Standoff
Basking sharks may look terrifying, but they’re not aggressive. They’re filter feeders, cruising through the ocean with their mouths wide open to scoop up plankton, not people. Still, their size alone is enough to make anyone’s jaw drop. These sharks can grow up to 33 feet long, making them the second-largest shark species on Earth. Only the whale shark, which can stretch to a mind-blowing 46 feet, is bigger. Even the famous great white shark, which maxes out at around 23 feet, comes in third.
The shark in the video wasn’t quite record-breaking, but at an estimated 20 feet, it was big enough to leave an impression. You can see its massive dorsal fin cutting through the waves, looking like something straight out of a documentary — or a horror movie if you’re not into sea creatures.
While the Rhode Island sighting was more awe-inspiring than alarming, things got a little scarier further south just a few days later.
On Wednesday, May 28, a 26-year-old man was bitten on the leg while swimming at Sunset Beach in North Carolina, just near the South Carolina state line. According to CBC News, the man needed around a dozen stitches and was quick to warn others once he realized what had happened.
More: Woman Slammed Boy’s Head Mid-Flight for Calling Her ‘Fat’ and ‘Miss Piggy’ Arrested for Child Abuse
His niece was also in the water at the time, and as soon as the bite occurred, he shouted for her to get out of the water. His quick reaction could have made all the difference in keeping her safe.
Shark bites are still relatively rare, especially in the U.S., but this time of year tends to bring more sightings. As ocean temperatures warm up and more people hit the beaches, it’s not unusual to see increased shark activity along the East Coast.
Experts say encounters like these are a reminder to stay alert but not to panic. Most sharks aren’t interested in humans, and many, like the basking shark, pose no real threat at all. Still, keeping a watchful eye, swimming in groups, and avoiding the water at dawn or dusk can go a long way in reducing the risk of any unwanted close encounters.
For now, the giant shark off Rhode Island and the bite in North Carolina are just two very different reminders that the ocean is a wild, mysterious place — and even the start of summer can come with a few surprises.
You Might Also Like:
- 54-year-old Mexican Man Allegedly Threatened to Shoot Donald Trump After Family Was Deported
- Jennifer Aniston’s stalker declared mentally incompetent in court
- Kylie Jenner Explains Her Consistent Black Dress Choice With Timothée Chalamet
- Top Republicans Say Trump Is No Conservative and the GOP Is Living in a Fantasy
- Trump Pardons Chrisleys and They Jump Right Back Into the Public Eye