Photo Credit: Gary Grayson/Facebook

Gary Grayson, a Salford, U.K. resident, is a diving enthusiast who had a close encounter with an adorable seal he’ll never forget.

The fortunate 55-year-old diver was diving in the water just off the Isles of Scilly when the Atlantic grey seal “asked” him for a belly rub!

In the video below, the seal practically touches noses with the diver before seeming to reach for his hand, and then is exceedingly pleased by the affection that follows.

“This grey seal came across and had five minutes with me, kind of thing. Then another was climbing up my leg,” Grayson explained. “I’m an experienced diver but I have never known anything like that… I tend to live life on the edge. But this was certainly up there with anything I have ever done.”

On his trips, he’s gone swimming with crocodiles, dolphins and sharks, but still, he insists that this clip with the seal is the souvenir he treasures the most.

He remarked, “I’m usually the one with the camera but when I saw everyone had taken a shine to this seal I said ‘you film, I want a go.’

“I have been diving with seals before and had them buzzing around you before but I’ve never had one that stayed so close for that amount of time and was so friendly. It was amazing and something I’ll never forget – I have the video on my phone now and watch it all the time. In fact, I’ve probably bored all my friends going on about it.”