“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
If you’re…ahem…of a certain age, perhaps a particular movie, and indeed a specific toothy scene, come to mind when you hear that famous line.
If you guessed 1975’s “Jaws,” you’re right!
But why is a software technology company writing about an almost (eek!) 50-year-old movie about a (fictitious) killer great white shark?
Well, it’s the most glorious time of the summer (this side of the world) – Shark Week – on the Discovery channel!
But more importantly, Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division has within its ranks a most passionate fan of marine life: Maximilian Weber, our senior vice president, infrastructure & EMEA, has participated in more than 250 undersea dives all over the world!
“Since my childhood, I’ve always had a passion for marine creatures. I had aquariums and was drawn to the mysteries that exist in the ocean depths. This passion led me to secure my diver license in 1986, where I did night dives in the Red Sea in Israel,” Weber said. “The experience was thrilling and scary and exciting at once. Since then, I’ve become an avid diver and have probably gone on maybe 250 dives all over the world. I have many amazing experiences diving with other enthusiasts of all ages.”
OK, OK, but how does this relate to Shark Week, you ask?
“I’m particularly passionate about the conservation of sharks,” shared Weber. “Sharks are one of the most misunderstood creatures, and films like ‘The White Shark’ overplay their dangers.”
Did you know that “Jaws” is referred to as “The White Shark,” or “Der weiße Hai,” in Germany?
“I recently had the pleasure of diving with whale sharks in the Maldives, where I saw seven of those majestic and calm creatures. This was a magical experience that really impacted me on a personal level.”
Weber said diving with whale sharks really put things into perspective for him.
“For example,” he said, “diving has taught me to overcome the fear of the unknown and connected me to others who share my same love of the ocean. This passion also transcends to what we do here at Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division. We continually strive to help our customers make the right connections and overcome their fears using our new technology.”
Most of us may not be brave enough to dive into the ocean’s depths to see enormous sharks up close, but we can catch a glimpse of their beauty thanks to Shark Week (through July 13).
