Shark Shield hits big screen

Members of the film crew for “USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage” turned to a St. Petersburg-based company for protection from sharks during production.

The company, Shark Shield, provided its shark deterrent device, Freedom7, to the team for open water scenes in the Gulf of Mexico, a statement says. The World War II movie, starring Nicolas Cage, is based on the true story of the crew of the USS Indianapolis, who were stranded in the Philippine Sea for five days after the ship was sunk by a Japanese torpedo.

The Freedom7 product is “lightweight and worn on the ankle, making it easy to manage when filming,” says Shark Shield General Manger Amanda Wilson. It is depth-rated up to 164 feet and has a six-hour battery life, she says.