Video: Mako shark attacks research sub off Rhode Island coast

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A local production company captured footage of a chance encounter with a Mako Shark on Monday.

333 Productions, a nationally recognized production studio based in Rhode Island that specializes in filming sharks in their habitats, was in the water when the shark approached them.

Marine Biologist Lauren Romeiro and filmmaker Joe Romeiro with 333 Productions, said they were exploring the water with one of their remote operated vehicles when it was disabled by a curious Mako shark.

Video shows the shark approaching the camera with its mouth open, getting one of its teeth caught on one of the sub’s cords.

According to the Smithsonian Ocean museum, Makos are the fastest sharks in the ocean and the Romeiro’s noted that they’re also “intelligent” and “tenacious.”

“We sometimes use ROVs because it extends our reach with how much time we can spend in the water. We are able to see behaviors that we normally wouldn’t by removing the third party,” the couple explained.

The two have been conducting underwater surveys off the coast of New England for more than a decade focusing specifically on Makos, Great Whites, Blues and Porbeagle Sharks.

More shark footage can be found at the 333 Productions webpage and their YouTube channel.