A brave sea lion hid next to a boat to try and avoid an epic three-hour-long attack by an orca pod.

Captain Josh Young was leading one of his Alaska Whale & Drone Tours through Icy Strait, USA, when he heard about a group of six killer whales on the hunt for prey.

Dramatic footage captured a Steller sea lion sheltered next to a boat hoping the apex predators would get bored.

Unfortunately for the sea lion, it drifted out into the open water and the orca methodically swam around it and leapt over it in an attempt to confuse their meal.

Finally after a huge tussle, the orca tired out the sea lion’s defence and got their reward for their patient tactics.

Josh said: “I haven't seen anything like that before or since. Watching the footage afterwards, I had mixed emotions.

“On the one hand, the orca are a necessary part of the ecosystem and are incredible creatures in their own right and just trying to survive.

“On the other hand, I don't think I'd ever seen such a warrior's spirit and courage in any creature before that sea lion.

“To face down certain death, from a half-dozen of the most intelligent, capable and ruthless predators in the ocean, and to keep fighting for three hours without surrendering was something that I deeply respected.

“Finally the mighty, courageous warrior of a sea lion, was turned into food for the greatest apex predator on our planet.

“The orca were meticulously careful as they attacked the Sea Lion; a big male like this could inflict some nasty bites on them.

“The sea lion was a battle-hardened, dominant male who had held his own with dozens of contenders from within his own species, and he was not going down without a fight.

“The Orca had to distract him with one or more swimming past him, and when he turned to give chase, they would then ram him from behind.

“There was a blow after blow, but he just seemed to shrug it off each time. I thought it would be over quickly, but the orca had him where they wanted him and weren't in any hurry.

“The sea lion gradually grew more and more exhausted as the relentless battering continued.”