Shark Attack Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies 2000
Introduction
The Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a popular tourist attraction that features a variety of aquatic animals. In 2000, however, the aquarium made headlines for a terrifying incident that occurred when a shark attacked a diver during a show.
The Shark Attack
The incident occurred during a live dive show in the aquarium's Shark Lagoon exhibit. Diver Chris Sullivan was swimming with the sharks when a 6-foot sand tiger shark attacked him. The shark clamped down on Sullivan's leg and dragged him to the bottom of the tank.
The other divers in the tank quickly realized what was happening and tried to distract the shark by hitting it with their dive gear. Eventually, the shark released Sullivan and swam away.
Aftermath
Sullivan suffered serious injuries from the attack, including a broken leg and severe lacerations. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery.
The incident raised questions about the safety of live dive shows, and Ripley's Aquarium temporarily suspended all of their dive programs while they reviewed their safety protocols.
Investigation
After the incident, the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) launched an investigation into the aquarium's safety procedures. They found that the aquarium had failed to properly train its staff and did not have adequate safety protocols in place.
The aquarium was fined $7,000 for the incident and was required to implement new safety measures to prevent future accidents.
Lessons Learned
The shark attack at Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies served as a reminder of the dangers of working with wild animals. It also highlighted the importance of proper training and safety protocols in the workplace.
Since the incident, Ripley's Aquarium has implemented new safety measures, including more rigorous staff training and updated safety protocols for their dive programs.
Conclusion
The shark attack at Ripley's Aquarium Of The Smokies in 2000 was a terrifying incident that raised important questions about workplace safety and the risks of working with wild animals. While the incident was certainly frightening, it ultimately helped to improve safety protocols at the aquarium and serves as a reminder of the importance of proper training and safety measures in any workplace.
