a curious young whale shark after it approached his boat.

The 18-foot creature slowly swam up to and around the 40-foot fishing vessel Bay Roots on Sunday at the southwest edge of Challenger Banks.

Licenced pilot and fisherman Andrew Marshall said: "I had a camera on board, which was kind of unusual, and I was trying to take a picture without getting the glare on the water.

"I was walking up and down the length of the boat trying to get the picture and it was following me.'' The creature continued to be interested in the activity on the boat and he decided to get in the water, Mr. Marshall said.

"I knew they were gentle so I grabbed a mask and got into the water. The whale shark was only 15 to 20 feet away when I got in the water. It was coming toward me and it sort of flushed its mouth. It sat there for a second.

"It's head and mouth are so big but I only had that feeling for a second. It was an overwhelming feeling of gentleness.'' The shark swam within arms reach of Mr. Marshall, who eventually touched it.

The average whale shark is 40-feet long and inhabits offshore banks where the water is warmer and is rich with krill, a type of shrimp on which it feeds.

They are regarded as gentle creatures.

After arranging for the other person in the boat to take photos, Mr. Marshall held on to the shark's tail and rode around in the creature's wake.

"In hindsight, I kind of regret not spending more time swimming with it but a tiger shark was hanging around another boat in the area yesterday so every time it got too far out, I'd go back to the boat.'' The shark hung around for an hour before it swam away.

"It was a beautiful thing to see; that phenomenal creatures exist out there,'' said Mr. Marshall.