OceanX, a team of marine biologists, media and filmmakers, launched a quest to explore the depths of the Red Sea in 2020, where they found not only a giant ship, but a colossal creature that appeared to be larger than a human.
During the investigation of ‘Pella’, which sank at a depth of 2,800 feet in November 2011, the group noticed that they could be ‘The Giant Squid’.
“As long as I live, I will never forget what happened next,” said Matty Rodrigue, head of the OceanX science program. Video taken from search.
‘Suddenly, as we are looking down the bow of the wreck, this giant creature appears, takes a look at the ROV [remotely operated vehicle] And turns his whole body around the bow of the wreck.’
It wasn’t until September 2021 that the team learned that the mysterious creature was a ‘giant form’ of the purpleback flying squid, which typically grows up to two feet tall.
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OceanX, a team of marine biologists, media and filmmakers, launched a quest to explore the depths of the Red Sea in 2020, where they found not only a giant ship, but also a giant creature that appears to be larger than a human. .
The OceanX team traveled to the Red Sea aboard the OceanExplorer, a research vessel with a 40-ton crane to launch submersibles, towed sonar arrays and other heavy equipment at depth.
The ship also carries two manned Triton submersibles, each of which can dive to depths of more than 3,280 feet for eight hours.
This includes a remotely operated vehicle and an autonomous underwater vehicle that can explore depths of up to 19,685 feet.
OceanExplorer began its maiden voyage in September 2020, when the crew spotted the giant sea creature lurking around the wreckage of the ship.
OceanExplorer began its maiden voyage in September 2020, when the crew spotted the giant sea creature lurking around the wreckage of the ship. Pella sank in November 2011 during a visit to Nuweibas port in Egypt
The OceanX team traveled to the Red Sea aboard OceanExplorer, a research vessel with a 40-ton crane to launch submarines, towed sonar arrays and other heavy equipment to depth.
Pella sank in November 2011 while traveling to Nuweiba port in Egypt.
The 485-foot-long ship caught fire while carrying 1,229 passengers off the coast of Aqaba, Jordan – one death was reported after the incident.
As the researchers used an underwater robot to cruise around the wreck, the giant creature swam across the frame.
Rodrigue sought help from NOAA zoologist Dr. Michael Vecchione, who concluded that the mysterious creature was a giant form of purpleback flying squid.
While using the underwater robot to cruise around the wreck, the giant squid swam across the frame
The team wondered whether the creature was a giant squid, but other experts shed light on the size and shape of its wings that make up an arrowhead.
Pictured is a close up of a purpleback flying squid
“The area you’re working in, in the Red Sea, has a well-known population,” Vecchione told Rodrigue during a video call.
‘They get really big. I think what you are seeing is the giant form of Stenotuthis.
‘They will approach the bait the way a bait is approached and they often swim far enough away that other videos show the animal swimming.’
Vecchione also continued to explain that the size of the animal’s wing relative to its body suggests that it is not a giant squid.
Its wings are short and broad and look like an arrowhead, while those on a giant squid are usually massive and muscular.
Giant squid, which are rarely seen, can grow up to 66 feet long.
The last one to be discovered was in October 2016 and was 30 feet in length.
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