Light Hearted

The S.S. Sapona, a storied shipwreck, rests in the waters off Bimini in the Bahamas. Originally constructed as a concrete-hulled cargo vessel during World War I, its military service was never realized due to the war's abrupt end. Subsequently, it was sold to a salvage company. In 1924, during the tumult of a hurricane, the ship ran aground and found itself marooned upon the shallow sandbanks of Bimini. Today, the S.S. Sapona is a renowned dive site in The Bahamas, with roughly half of the shipwreck visibly protruding above the waterline. Underwater photography at this site, however, faces significant challenges, notably the influence of wind-induced waves that can create turbulent underwater conditions. Fortunately, during our endeavor, the conditions favored us to achieve clear underwater visibility. The higher tide brought in pristine ocean water, overcoming the effects of wind. Submerged at a depth of approximately 12 feet (4 meters), the freediver floated effortlessly, suspended just above the seafloor. She basked in the gentle angle of the illuminating light beam, which penetrated the skeletal framework of the shipwreck, creating a mesmerizing underwater tableau.