Nautilus Live scientists have close-up encounter with sperm whale

A LUCKY group of scientists has had an encounter it will never forget with a particularly curious creature. Watch the incredible footage.

A LUCKY group of ocean scientists have had a day they will never forget after a close-up encounter with a curious sperm whale.

The crew of a Nautilus Live ROV was working nearly 600 metres beneath the Gulf of Mexico when they captured the incredible footage.

“What the heck is that?” a shocked worker can be heard saying on tape when the whale first appears just outside their windscreen.

“Oh my goodness!” “He’s bumping into us,” said colleagues on board.

Footage of the whale circling the vehicle several times was caught on camera in what is thought to be an incredibly rare experience.

It was recorded as part of the Nautilus Live project which aims to map the Galapagos Rift on the sea floor under the Gulf of Mexico over a six-week period.

The project is funded by oceanographer Dr Robert Ballard and is streamed online to provide a “hands on” experience of underwater life and creatures to viewers. Watch the full video below: