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OceanX, a team of marine biologists, media and filmmakers, embarked on a quest in 2020 to explore the depths of the Red Sea where they found not only a giant wreck, but a massive creature that appeared to be larger. than a human.
While investigating the “Pella”, which sank in November 2011, at a depth of 2,800 feet, the group spotted what they believed to be “the giant squid”.
“I will never forget what happened next for as long as I live,” said Mattie Rodrigue, head of the OceanX science program, in a video taken of the discovery.
‘All of a sudden as we look at the bow of the wreck this huge creature appears, takes a look at the ROV [remotely operated vehicle] and wraps his whole body around the bow of the wreck.
It wasn’t until September 2021 that the team learned that the mysterious creature was “the giant form” of the purple-backed flying squid, which can typically be up to two feet long.
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OceanX, a team of marine biologists, media and filmmakers, embarked on a quest in 2020 to explore the depths of the Red Sea where they not only found a giant wreck, but also a massive creature that appeared to be more taller than a human
The OceanX team traveled to the Red Sea aboard the OceanXplorer, a research vessel equipped with a 40-ton crane to launch submersibles, towed sonar arrays and other heavy equipment into the depths.
The vessel also includes two manned Triton submersibles, each capable of diving to depths greater than 3,280 feet for up to eight hours.
It includes a remote-controlled vehicle and an autonomous underwater vehicle that can explore depths of up to 19,685 feet.
OceanXplorer embarked on its maiden voyage in September 2020, when the crew spotted the giant sea creature lurking around the wreckage.
OceanXplorer embarked on its maiden voyage in September 2020, when the crew spotted the giant sea creature lurking around the wreckage. The Pella sank in November 2011 while on her way to the Egyptian port of Nuweiba
The OceanX team traveled to the Red Sea aboard the OceanXplorer, a research vessel equipped with a 40-ton crane to launch submersibles, towed sonar arrays and other heavy equipment into the depths.
The Pella sank in November 2011 while on her way to the Egyptian port of Nuweiba.
The 485-foot-long vessel caught fire off Aqaba, Jordan while carrying 1,229 passengers – one fatality has been reported as a result of the incident.
As the researchers used an underwater robot to navigate around the wreckage, the giant creature swam in the frame.
Rodrigue enlisted the help of Dr. Michael Vecchione, a NOAA zoologist, who concluded that the mysterious creature was a giant form of the purple-backed flying squid.
While using an underwater robot to navigate around the wreckage, the giant squid swam in the frame
The team wondered if the creature was a giant squid, but other experts pointed out the shape and size of its fins which form an arrowhead
Pictured is a close-up of a purple-backed flying squid
“In the area you are operating in, in the Red Sea, there is a well-known population,” Vecchione told Rodrigue during a video call.
“They’re getting really big. I think what you are seeing is the giant form of Sthenoteuthis.
“They will approach the bait the same way one of them approached the bait and they often swim like the other videos showed the animal swimming.”
Vecchione also went on to explain that the size of the animal’s fin in relation to its body shows that it is not a giant squid.
Its fins are short and broad and form what looks like an arrowhead shape, while those of a giant squid are usually massive and muscular.
Giant squids, which are rarely seen, can be up to 66 feet long.
The last to be discovered was in October 2016 and was 30 feet long.
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