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CNN Live Today

Florida Aquarium to Offer Dive Among Sharks

Aired July 24, 2002 - 13:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: An aquarium in Florida hopes thrill seekers will line up for its newest attraction, a dive into the shark tank.

Bay News 9 reporter Chris O'Connell reports from the aquarium in St. Petersburg.

CHRIS O'CONNELL, BAY NEWS 9 REPORTER: Well, most people here in Florida do whatever they can to stay as far away as possible from sharks. Well, the people here at the Florida Aquarium believe there are enough people out there who would actually pay money to spend some time underwater with some of the most ferocious fish in the sea.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

O'CONNELL (voice-over): While many visitors are going to Busch Gardens and Disney World, could this be the next thrill ride? For $100, the Florida Aquarium will soon allow certified divers to come face-to-face with six species of sharks. And get this: There will be no cage separating you and the shark. According the "St. Pete Times," guests will go through an hour-long safety class and then spend 30 minutes underwater with some of the most feared creatures under the the sea.

The aquarium says it's giving guests exactly what they want. Since the shark exhibit opened, some people were interested in an encounter like this, the attraction will soon become reality, and will certainly be one of a kind.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

And this really will be a one-of-a-kind experience. There are places outside of Florida where you can swim with sharks, but usually you're behind a barrier or inside a metal cage. Here, there are no cages, just you and the shark and a couple professional safety divers, just in case.

We're on scene at the Florida Aquarium, Chris O'Connell, Bay News 9.

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