Incident Report
Diver Encounters Bull Sharks at Historic Wreck Site in North Carolina
During an archaeological expedition at the wreck of the Olive Thurlow in Cape Lookout Bight, a diver was approached by two small bull sharks. Though the diver sustained no injuries, one shark scraped the diver's air tank before both animals moved away.
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Incident Profile
Circumstances
Environmental
Individual
Location
Description
On August 21, 1995, an incident occurred in Cape Lookout Bight, North Carolina, involving a diver participating in an archaeological survey of the Olive Thurlow, a 557-ton barkentine that wrecked in the area in 1902. While conducting underwater work on the historic wreck site, the diver was approached by two bull sharks, each measuring approximately 1.2 to 1.5 meters (4 to 5 feet) in length. One of the sharks made contact with the diver's equipment, scraping the air tank, but did not bite the diver or cause any physical injury. The encounter occurred during August, a month when Atlantic blacktip sharks congregate in Cape Lookout Bight for mating season, often followed by bull sharks. Bull sharks are known for their aggressive behavior and territorial nature compared to other species in the area. The incident was documented in accounts of the archaeological work conducted by the Surface Interval Diving Company, with investigation and reporting by the Global Shark Accident File. This encounter serves as a documented example of shark behavior in their natural habitat during peak seasonal activity. The incident resulted in no injuries and demonstrates that such encounters, while notable, do not necessarily result in harm when proper protocols are followed.