Life Changing Moment

One lucky sailor had an incredible experience when a baby sea lion boarded his boat in California then spent over half an hour affectionately snuggling into his leg. The man, called J.R. Gilkinson, uploaded a video of the astonishing event to YouTube where it has had 290,000 views.

Gilkinson described the footage as 'My Life Changing Experience with a Baby Sea Lion' and 'A day at sea that I will never forget!!!'

The sailor said that the welcome visitor hopped on their boat approximately two miles off the coast of Newport Beach, California, on May 18. The pup first swims round the boat and then climbs aboard. Eventually the creature moves closer to the Gilkinson and then nuzzles and rubs its head against the man's leg.

Throughout the video he can be heard urging his 11-year-old niece not to touch the wild animal. But after several minutes of unusual affection from the animal, he can resist the temptation no longer. The sea lion then apparently stayed with Gilkinson for some time. The man told The Huffington Post: 'It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had.