Hooper won’t drive this boat, boss.
Ocean conservationists are creating an Orca replica of the beloved movie “Shark” to conduct shark research and help educate the public about sea creatures.
The Orca III project is led by David Bigelow, who acquired an old lobster fishing boat named Lydia and is working to renovate it. Bigelow, who appeared as an extra in “Shark,” said he was touched by taking on the project due to a spike in recent shark sightings near Martha’s Vineyard, where Steven Spielberg filmed his hit box office hit of 1975.
“The need to educate people about the new ecosystem we live in, due to climate change and the seal population, is probably our only defense,” said Bigelow, looking at two possible drivers of increased shark sighting. “Basically we have taken on this role where the ship is going to be used for education.”
Chris Crawford, who modified a ship called Warlock in the original Orca in 1974, will help with the project.
Academy Award nominee Joe Alves, who designed the three mechanical sharks for the film, is also helping with the recreation of the ship.
Peter Benchley, who wrote the 1974 novel on which the film is based, was a marine conservationist who wrote other books that have also been adapted to Hollywood hits, including “The Deep” and “The Island”.
Benchley’s widow, Wendy Benchley, now sits on the board of directors for Beneath the Waves, the conservation group that will use the boat.
“The Orca’s return is a celebration for ‘Jaws’ fans as well as an exciting new resource in the quest for a greater understanding of our oceans and the life that abounds in it,” Wendy said in a press release.
An Indiegogo campaign is helping to fund Orca III, which is expected to complete this fall. So far, the project has raised $ 7,249 of its $ 150,000 goal.
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