Boaters off Vancouver's coast got an up close and personal view of the circle of life.

Elliot Funt captured the life and death struggle on his phone and posted the video on his Facebook page.

"So this happened today!! Was trying to keep my distance like a good boater, but then a sea lion that was escaping from the whales found refuge on the side of the boat next to us."

Funt says the pod of orca's looked like it had about six whales working in unison to trap and eat the sea lion.

The drama ended when the sea lion hopped on board a boat and was whisked to safety by the boater.

Funt added in his post that he hopes his video will shed some light on why it's important to provide wildlife with protection in Howe Sound.

Photo: Elliot Funt