This octopus (Octopus Dofleini) is a Giant Pacific Octopus estimated by marine biologists to weigh around 80 to 90 pounds with an outspread diameter of 16ft. (Each tentacle estimated at 8ft in length.)

The encounter happened off the West coast of Vancouver Island November 2005, offshore Brooks Peninsula.

The ROV (Remotely Operated vehicle) weighs around 60 kilos, is electric and has a single function manipulator claw with which it was anchored to a ground line in 57 meters of water when the octopus confronted it and wrapped a tentacle around the manipulator.

The concern was that it was bringing more tentacles around in an apparent attack on the ROV and with many exposed wires on the ROV open frame it could have dislodged one and caused the ROV to trip out and shut down due to water ingress.

The pilot had put down the ROV hand controls (As the ROV was anchored on the ground line)and was talking to the ROV Support Vessel's Captain when he noticed a movement on the control monitor. This was the approach of the octopus.

Reaquiring the hand controller the pilot put the ROV into full reverse and used propeller wash to dislodge the octopus.

The Company that took this footage is SubOceanic Sciences Canada Ltd.

[URL=http://www.suboceanic.net]

The ROV is a British made Seaeye Falcon Professional Inshore Survey Class ROV.