Anyone who has seen Jaws knows that there is nothing quite as terrifying as vast open water and a great white shark lurking in the distance.

An incredible video released by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has brought these fears to life and lets you experience the behaviour of Great White Sharks up close and personal with their new 'SharkCam'.

The specially-equipped camera is used to study the behaviour of specially tagged sharks, but also resulted in obtaining some amazing footage of their predatory traits and their attacks on the camera. 

In the video, sharks can be seen speeding towards the camera from a distance, appearing from out of nowhere and attacking the mid-section of the camera and launching at it from behind. 

The video was also sponsored by the Discovery Channel to mark the beginning of their popular 'Shark Week' which begins in a few days.