Great White circles boat off coast of Australia

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA (WHDH) -- It's a scenario many have nightmares about.

“Oh my God. Yeah, that was close. Can we start the engine and just have that running,” said Alan Falzon.

Four meters of man eater nudges a small fishing boat near Wye River on Victoria’s south west coast.

“All of a sudden from the shadows comes this big head and I just freeze.

Jaws was recently on TV and you think of the last scene there where he jumps on the boat,” said Falzon.

Lorne locals James Prascevic and Alan Falzon were fishing for much smaller sharks yesterday afternoon, about three kilometers off shore - when they lured more than they expected - a great white shark.

“He rubbed his side along the boat and put his nose on the engine,” said Prascevic.

The men were nervous to say the least but also mesmerized by the ocean predator and couldn't tear themselves away - staying at sea for forty nail-biting minutes as the shark circled.

“The adrenaline was kicking in and you don't think sensibly when you have a great white shark swimming around your boat,” said Falzon.

The men returned to shore with a remarkable tale.

“I wouldn't say it’s a common thing even for the scientists looking for them their animals really hard to find: so it was quite an exciting opportunity to see one,” said Paul Hamilton of the Melbourne aquarium.

Mr. Prascevic is a returned soldier and tours of Afghanistan, Iraq and Timor left him with post traumatic stress disorder. Despite Wednesday’s hair raising experience he said the water is where he feels most calm.

Late last year he crossed Bass Straight solo to raise awareness of depression but said yesterday's adventure takes the cake.

“Other than getting married best experience ever,” said Prescevic.

A once in a lifetime moment.