There was never a day that passed by, were I was not thinking about The Sharks. Ever since my return from S. Africa last year, I wanted to get back there.

Having met Carcharodon carcharias up close and personal, left a big impact on me, as did the whole of Gansbaai. I knew I would not stay away for too long. So a few days short of a year later, I was heading back to South Africa.

Another reason why I returned to Gansbaai so fast was because of my friend Karl Falzon. He too likes sharks, and now hopefully, his dream is about to come true, as he joins me on my second expedition to encounter and photograph the Great White Sharks of Dyer Island.

Karl Falzon

Sunday 3rd Feb. 2002 …….. Monday 18th Feb. 2002

Sharkman's Diary:

Sunday 3rd Feb.

Karl and I started our 24-hour journey. We flew from Malta to Frankfurt {Germany}, and after a few hours of sightseeing the city, we returned to the Airport for our night flight to Cape Town, via Johannesburg.

Monday 4th Feb.

At 13:00, we landed in Cape Town, and after a 1 hour 30 minute Taxi ride, we arrived at the home of my good friends, Michael {MCS} & Tracy Scholl in Gansbaai.

Michael C. & Tracy Scholl

It was great to see them again. We would be staying in their house for the next two weeks. Michael is a Great White Shark Researcher that has been doing work related to photo ID of the Sharks down here.

MCS introduced me to Ryan Johnson, and Jenna Cains.

Ryan is a Shark Research Biologist and had lived on Dyer Island for a period of 14 months, during which he conducting behavioral experiments on the great white sharks. He is now working on the ultrasonic tracking and archival tags programs.

Jenna is MCS's field research assistant. She is with him for the next 5 months, unless she decides to stay.

Jenna Cains. & Ryan Johnson

After about an hour of talking, the phone rang. It was Michael Rutzen, {MR} who is now running his own cage diving company, Shark Diving Unlimited. It was great to hear the voice of another good friend. MR invited Karl and myself to a Bar-b-Que that evening.

Now I knew that I was back in Gansbaai… There is nothing that beats a "Rutzen family Braai", except being with the great white sharks of course!!!

Morné Hardenberg, who is MR's Dive Master, came to pick us up at around 7 pm. I first met Morné last year, when I did the trip with MR. He drove us to the Rutzen home, right on the coastline of Die Kelders, and here we were greeted by the rest of the Rutzen clan, including MR's brother and boat skipper, Franky.

The Shark Diving Unlimited Team.
Michael Rutzen {MR}	Franky Rutzen	Morné Hardenberg

Last year, I made most of my trips with MCS & Franky. He is by far the best boat skipper in all of Gansbaai, and he knows every spot of these waters blindfoldedly.

The evening was long, the food was great, the company was fantastic, and the topic was Sharks. We talked about memories from last year, and made the plans for this one. I was also updated on the current situation, and informed that the conditions were not very favourable. Karl and myself knew from the start that February is not the best time for the Sharks, but we will wait and see what we get.

Tuesday 5th Feb.

Woke up very early and prepared our things for the first trip. At 09.30, MCS drove us to Kleinbaai. This is a small harbour village from were all the operators go out. Although there is a bigger harbour in Gansbaai, Shark operators use Kleinbaai because it is closer to Dyer Island, and saves having to go cruise out all the way around Danger Point.

Location Map (Click image to enlarge.}

MR, Franky & Morné were waiting for us. MCS, Jenna, & Ryan were also joining us on the boat. We boarded "STAN" and at 10:00, MR powered the 26 ft (8 mts) catamaran towards Dyer Island, and anchored at Rocky Bay. The conditions were not very good and at 12:40 we changed location and went to the area known as Die Clyde.

Waiting for the Sharks to come

Whilst waiting for the sharks, it can get very boring, but not when you have such a great company. The two Michaels are all the time picking on each other. Jokes were flying around non stop. No one realized that soon it was 4 p.m. and no sharks had been sighted. It was then time for us to head back to harbour.

Michael Rutzen, Jenna, Michael C. Scholl, Karl, Ryan & The Sharkman.

Wednesday 6th Feb.

Rough Seas are hitting the coast. MR informed us that there will not be any trips. Karl, Jenna & I decided to go do some sight seeing.

Thursday 7th Feb.

Another lost day. We still cannot go out. The Winds have stopped but the waves are still too much. Everyone around was bored. We all wanted to be at Sea.

MCS changed our mood when he decided to make a Bar-B-Que. Tracy made some fantastic food, and the evening turned even better when MR informed us that we go out in the morning.

Friday 8th Feb.

At 10.30 we were anchored at Joubert Se Dam. The chum slick was running good but water visibility was very bad. "Cookie" the decoy, was about 10 mtrs. behind the boat. And the waiting had started.

Michael Rutzen & Sharkman

Exactly on the hour of 11.00, MR shouted "TOMMY HAAI !!" I looked behind me and saw a shark pass on the right side of the boat. It was a small Great White... estimated about 2.2mtrs. I just lifted the camera and shot.

The First Shark we saw, "Tommy Haai". A 2.2 mtr. Great White. (Click image to enlarge.}

Karl was on the other side of the boat, and he did not realize what had happened, until he saw me take the photo. He then just manage to get a glimpse of the tail. He had not understood that when Michael said "Tommy Haai", he meant Great White Shark. MR then explained to Karl that in this area of South Africa, Great Whites are known as "Tommy" Sharks.

This Shark named "Tommy Haai" only made one pass and then kept going, but 2 minutes later, we spotted another Two Sharks, both estimated well over 4 mtrs., swimming across our chum line. These two sharks did not come close to the boat, but I did manage to get a shoot of thier Dorsal fins.

Dorsal Fins of 2 sharks both estimated as over 4 mtrs. (Click images to enlarge.}

We waited for nearly two hours, but no other sharks came. MR then decided to head to Die Clyde, and we got there at 1p.m.

After just 15 minutes, we spotted a small shark circling the bait of another nearby boat. About a minute later, a small shark passed under our decoy. By the size of it, it looked like the same shark that had been next to the other boat. I identified this as a male, and it was estimated to be about 2.5 mtrs. It's colour was of a lighter shade. We nicknamed him "Jr".

"JR" passing and coming for the bait. (Click images to enlarge.}

Within two minutes, a second shark had also arrived. This was a 3m Female with a small scar on the head. She was named "Denise".

"Denise" a 3 mtr Female. (Click images to enlarge.}

Both these two sharks stayed for about 80 minutes making alternate passes at our bait and decoy. Sadly we could not put the cage in the water due to the bad visibility

45 minutes after the two sharks had gone, another Shark appeared. Morné identified this one as a female, so I called her "Lindy", after his own sister. She has a small white patch on the right keel and the Dorsal fin of this shark had many notches. Also, there was a long faded scar stretching from the upper lobe to the lower lobe of the tail. We estimated her at about 2.8 mtrs.

"Lindy" a 2.8 mtr. Female Shark. (Click images to enlarge.}

She did not stay too long, just made about 4 passes, but she was very relaxed. After not seeing her for 30 minutes, we headed back to harbour. Everyone was pleased that the sharks had not disappointed us today.

Saturday 9th Feb.

At 11:00 we anchored at Die Clyde. This was the place where we had the action yesterday. For over an hour, we waited in vain. It was then decided that we try going to Joubert Se Dam. We got there at around 12:50p.m. but till 3.20 we had no Shark action.

Karl & Sharkman

At 3:23p.m. I noticed a shadow move under our decoy. MR pulled the decoy close to the boat and as the shark swam past, I noticed a familiar white patch on the keel and also the scar on the tail!!! The Dorsal had notches too.... "Lindy" was back!!!

(Click images to enlarge.} "Lindy" returns for the second day.	"Lindy's" Dorsal Fin with the visible notches.
	For 20 minutes "Lindy" circled our boat.

This time, the shark stayed around for about 20 minutes. Although not a big shark, "Lindy" has the elegance and beauty of a real lady, and she moved so gracefully in the water. I must admit, I fell in love with this shark. I wanted to be with her in the water, but the conditions were not good at all. The bad underwater visibility did not allow it.

When "Lindy" left, we too headed back for home. On the way in, I could not help feeling that I would meet "Lindy" again one day.

Sunday 10th Feb.

At 11.00a.m. we anchored off Dyer Island at the spot known as Rocky Bay. There was a slight south wind blowing. After 90 minutes with no Sharks, we received a call from MCS, were he told us that he had a shark near his boat.

Morné and Franky quickly pulled up the anchor, and MR powered the boat to Geldsteen, were MCS was anchored. The shark was still there. She had already been around for about 25 minutes.

"Patch" a 3.2mtr female	"Patch" gets a taste (Click images to enlarge.}
Another pass at the bait	Patch's Dorsal fin

This was another female Shark of around 3.2 mtrs. that we later nicknamed "Patch", because of a small white patch on the left side of her Dorsal fin.

The white patch on the left of the Dorsal Fin (Click image to enlarge.}

Visibility in the water was very bad, but Morné signaled me to get my diving suit on. Whilst MR kept "Patch" interested Morné & Franky lowered the cage into the water.

Viz Underwater was really bad..... not more then 1.5 mtrs.!!! I looked around me, but could not see the shark.

After 5 minutes, "Patch" made the first pass at the edge of my visibility limit. I could hardly see her. After 2 minutes she came again, this time from my right side and very very close. It was awesome. What a beautiful shark. I just stood there admiring this creature. I did not even realise that my hand was out of the cage and gently sliding along the sharks body as it glided past me.

Before she came again, I got my camera up and ready. I did not have to wait too long, as "Patch" came again and I snapped a few pictures.

Suddenly disaster... the camera jammed and I switched it off and on again, only for it to start working on its own.!!! Just my luck!!!

I surfaced and handed Karl the camera and took his. As I went under again, "Patch" made another close pass at the cage and I just fired away.

The only two decent shots that I managed to take underwater (Click image to enlarge.}

Whilst I was in the cage for 30 minutes, "Patch" made 8 passes that I could see. But from the boat, they had seen her around all the time.

While I was in the cage, Ryan Johnson took these photos (Click images to enlarge.}

Karl then went into the cage but only saw the shark twice, in 20 minutes. I was glad that at last he too had seen the shark from the cage, but by now, 3 other boats had shown up, and it seemed that "Patch" had left.

We changed our location and returned to Rocky Bay, but we had no further sharks.

Monday 11th Feb.

We had a late departure today, and at 11:50 we dropped anchor at Die Clyde. Within 10 minutes we had the first Shark of the day. This male shark was about 2.5mtrs. and had two small scars on top of the snout.

Morné and "Champ"
(Click image to enlarge.}

It made 13 passes at the boat. and on the last pass it managed to get hold of the bait. Here, Morné had a small game of 'Tug-of-war" with the shark as it held on to the bait and Morné held the line. The Shark succeeded in getting a piece of the bait, so we named him "Champ".

"Champ" takes the bait.
(Click images to enlarge.}
"Champ's" Dorsal Fin.

For ten minutes "Champ" disappeared, but then came back for one final pass. It had stayed around the boat for a total of 46 minutes.

At 14:10, we had our second shark. This was a smaller shark about 2mtrs. in size. It surfaced near our decoy, passed under our boat, and kept going.

An unidentified 2mtr Shark (Click images to enlarge.}

After another 2 hours, we decided to call it a day. Morné started to remove the baits from lines and tossed a small piece of fish over his shoulder into the water. Within less then 5 seconds, a very small shark of about 1.8mtrs surfaced and took the fish!! I yelled "SHARK" but no one believed me and by the time everyone looked around, there was only a ripple in the water.

Everyone thought I was kidding them, but suddenly the shark shot out of the water in a horizontal breaching, clearing the surface by about 30cm, about 15 mtrs. from our boat.!!! This time..... they all saw it.

Morné, Frank, Jenna & Sharkman

Tuesday 12th Feb.

Today was an early start and at At 09.00 we were already on the way to the to "Die Clyde". Everyone on board was in high spirits as Franky told us that the conditions looked good.

At 10.32 the first shark showed up. This was a small 2mtr. female Shark that made about 8 fast passes at our decoy and baits.

"Speedy" A 2mtr Female Shark
(Click images to enlarge.}

I noticed that "Speedy" had a small white patch on the right side of the lower tail lobe. This shark stayed around for about 25 minutes.

After 2 hours of no action, we moved to Joubert Se Dam, and within 38 minutes we had a visitor. This was a beautiful 4mtr. female and she had a very bad attitude!! Proof of this was the fact that she was covered with scars so we called her "Nikki" !! She had scars on her head, sides, dorsal fin, and even the tail. Scars on the front right side and pectoral fins could have been mating scars.

"Nikki" a 4mtr. Female
(Click images to enlarge.}

Nikki's Cut Fin.

During one of her attempts to get the decoy, "Nikki" succeeded and a portion of "cookie" was taken away!!

She stayed around for nearly two hours, giving us a lot of chance to observe her, and when we left, because it was getting late, "Nikki" was still there.

Wednesday 13th Feb.

At 09.00, we were already anchored at Joubert Se Dam. Within a few minutes we had the first Shark. A huge Female, "The Bus", estimated to be about 4.5mtrs.

"The Bus " a 4.5 mtr. Female (Click images to enlarge.}

"The Bus ", was one hell of a shark. This shark, unlike any others that we had seen so far, always attacked the bait and the decoy at a vertical angle from directly below. Due to the bad water visibility, it was not easy to see her coming. She stayed around for about 23 minutes and in this time, she hit the bait 12 times.

A few minutes after "The Bus " left, another shark made two fast passes by our boat. This was a 3.2 male shark the we called "Kiddo"

"Kiddo" (Click images to enlarge.}

After 30 minutes, "Kiddo" disappeared in a flash and Morné said that something bigger was around. Seconds later, sure enough, we saw a very familiar dorsal fin break the surface close to the decoy. There was no mistake in identifying Nikki's cut dorsal fin!

"Nikki's Cut Fin"
(Click image to enlarge.}

This 4mtr. Female that was first seen yesterday, had stayed in this area. She seemed more relaxed today and She made quite a show. She also managed to totally destroy what was left of our decoy "Cookie" !!

More "Nikki" (Click images to enlarge.}
Michael C. Scholl took the picture on the left, while I was taking the one on the right.

Karl decided to go into the cage, but as visibility was bad, he did not get to see anything until Nikki passed less then a metre away from him!!! He was so surprised that he did not even have a chance to shoot a picture.

Karl in the Cage
(Click image to enlarge.}

Nikki stayed around for 80 minutes and when she finally left, another new "Cookie" was set up, and a few minutes later, Kiddo returned.!! This time he remained with us for a total time of 1 hr. 40 minutes.

Thursday 14th Feb.

This was our last day and at 10 a.m. we were already anchored at Joubert Se Dam.

We had to wait till 11:40 before the First shark arrived in our chum line. This was a 3.3 mtr. shark whose sex we could not identify. In a space of 40 minutes, "Splasher" charged the bait 10 times and on one pass, managed to get a bite and soaked us all in the process.

"Splasher" getting us wet!! (Click images to enlarge.}

At 12.25, another 3.7mtr. Female shark turned up. She had 2 small scars on the right side and 1 scar in front of the slightly bent dorsal fin. For this we called her "Bendy"

"Bendy" with her bent Dorsal Fin.
(Click images to enlarge.)

For 25 minutes "Bendy" circled the boat but approached the lure only 2 times.

The Third shark of the day arrived at around 1:20 PM This was another female of around 4 mtrs. I called her "Ria", in honour of Michael's Sister. She kept us busy for around 30 min.

	"Ria" another 4 mtr. Female (Click images to enlarge.}

At about 2:35pm "Bendy" returned for another 4 passes.

"Bendy" returns. (Click images to enlarge.}

After she Left, we waited for another 30 minutes, and then headed back to the Harbour.

This was to be our Last night in Gansbaai, so in the evening Karl and myself invited our friends for a meal. It was a great evening but all were a little sad that we had to leave the next day.

Friday 15th Feb.

Karl and myself packed our bags, and got a Taxi to Simonstown up in False Bay. When we got there, we checked into a hotel and I called my good friend Chris Fallows of African Shark Eco-Charters, to check about our planned trip to Seal Island for tomorrow. Sadly, Chris informed me that the conditions were very bad, and that he would contact me again the next morning.

Saturday 16th Feb.

At 06:00 am, Chris called to say that the trip has to be canceled, and we planned to meet for a chat. When he arrived, he introduced us to his wife Monique.

Monique and Chris Fallows, with The Sharkman

We spent about an hour talking and then they drove us to Cape Point.

Later, Karl and I returned to the Hotel and were very bored. I then suggested we get a Taxi back to Gansbaai.

The Rutzen's were happily surprised to see us back, and soon they organized another big "Family Braai" in our honour. All our Friends were there and just before sunset, we all saw the unexpected arrival of 3 Southern Right Whales swimming far out across the bay. What a great evening it was!! A perfect way to end another trip to this amazing place and surrounded by the Friends that have become MY GANSBAAI FAMILY!!