Macklemore, a 'devoted shark enthusiast,' once went on an OceanGate submersible dive to go 'find some sixgill sharks'

Kwan Wei Kevin Tan
Updated ·2 min read
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  • The rapper Macklemore once took a dive in an OceanGate submersible to go shark spotting in 2014.

  • "I'm actually going to be going down underwater, 400 feet," Macklemore said in a promotional clip.

  • The OceanGate team said they "sank a bait ball" two days before the dive to attract marine life.

The rapper Macklemore took a dive in an OceanGate submersible back in July 2014 — in search of sharks.

Macklemore's dive was organized in partnership with OceanGate's primary philanthropic partner, OceanGate Foundation, and the Discovery Channel television series "Daily Planet," according to OceanGate's website.

OceanGate used a submersible named Antipodes for the expedition, which took place at Elliot Bay, Washington. OceanGate's website said the vessel was designed to be "utilized for shallow expeditions" and could "explore to depths of 305 meters (1,000) feet."

"Our objective was to find the elusive sixgill sharks that roam the deep waters in Puget Sound and fulfill a lifelong dream and ambition of Macklemore, a devoted shark enthusiast," OceanGate's website said.

The expedition was documented by Discovery, which aired the feature on August 11, 2014, as part of their weeklong programming event, "Shark Week."

"I'm actually going to be going down underwater, 400 feet. We are going to find some sixgill sharks," Macklemore could be heard saying in a promotional clip for the feature.

The survey expedition was a success, and Macklemore and the crew were able to spot a sixgill shark, OceanGate said. The OceanGate team said they "sank a bait ball to a depth of over 400 feet two days prior to the dive" to attract marine life.

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and his company have come under scrutiny after the Titan submersible went missing while on a dive to the Titanic shipwreck on June 18.

The US Coast Guard said on June 22 that the Titan submersible had likely imploded, killing its five passengers, including Rush himself.

Representatives for OceanGate didn't immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Insider