WATCH: Scary moment Great White shark tries to bite through fishing boat #TheElitePartyInJuly #Entertain9jar via @myentertain9jar

IT may look like a scene from Jaws, but this is the terrifying real-life moment the crew of a small boat came within just feet of a Great White shark's savage bite.

The video shows the shark swimming up to the vessel before emerging from the water and snapping several times at a chum bag - a sack of bait used to attract fish when angling. 

The stunned passengers watch as the shark devastates the bag before disappearing back into the depths, just off the coast of New Jersey, US.

Steve Clark, owner of the boat, said the crew weren't scared because they are used to sharks and found the experience "awesome".

The shark targeted the boat's chum bag before turning its attentions to the engine[YOUTUBE ]

He explained: "Obviously, I was a little bit stunned. I didn't say anything to anybody, I was looking at it, trying to process the information, cause it was quite a big fish."

He added that even the small children on the boat didn't fear the creature's fearsome jaws. 

"The boat's 10ft wide. It was sticking way out of both sides of the boat. The kids were on each side looking at the shark."

But after capturing the attack on camera, Mr Clark had to leave the scene when the shark returned and began to target the boat's engine.