A marine biologist who almost dived straight into the mouth of a tiger shark has said she was “overjoyed” with the encounter, revealing the pair grew up together.
The incredible footage, which has gone viral, captured the moments before Ocean Ramsey entered the water in Hawaii.
In the video, uploaded to social media Ramsey hovers over the side of the boat as the five-metre shark circles below, its fin breaking the surface. As she goes to leap the shark turns and tries to nip her fins.
Ramsey told Weekend Today she was unphased, as she has known the animal for nearly 20 years.
“I was actually overjoyed to see her, especially that particular individual shark,” she said.
“We call her Queen Nikki and I have grown up with her, we were teenagers at the same time.”
In the video, Ramsey was seen laughing off the close encounter and told Weekend Today that she went into the water just moments after.
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“It was incredible to see,” she said.
“We have had so many beautiful interactions with her over the years and sharks are so important.
“I was actually laughing and I went in the water right after that moment.
“We were really excited to see her and we got back in the water and we were just grateful she was there.”
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