This is the incredible moment environmental officers get a “warm welcome” from a whale while they were ensuring boats comply with marine regulations.

The breath-taking close-up was captured off the coast of Scituate, in the US State of Massachusetts on 21st August.

Officers of the Environmental Police were reportedly patrolling the waters of Stellwagen Bank to enforce whale-related regulations for boaters when they witnessed a whale breaching right by their vessel.

The animal is seen jumping out of the water almost as if it wanted to greet them.

The Massachusetts Environmental Police said in a social media post: “Officers patrolling Stellwagen Bank, ensuring boater compliance with whale regulations, received a warm welcome from the locals this afternoon.”