text: This is the moment a terrified spring-breaker freaked out and begged for help - to escape from a harmless sea cow. The swimmer was in the water in Florida when she was filmed screaming out in horror as a giant manatee floated past just inches away. Footage, taken with the help of a selfie-stick, starts by showing the girl's frightened face as she treads water desperately looking around for the plant-eating creature. Terror: A spring-breaker filmed her own terrified reaction when a manatee floated past her in Florida . Stay out of the water: The young swimmer was heard screaming out in terror as the harmless creature approached . Seemingly on the verge of hysteria, Seconds later, she shouts out 'Oh my God, get me out of here', only for friends on a nearby boat to reply: 'It's behind you.' The manatee then swims towards her prompting the cry: ‘Oh my God. I see it, I see it. It’s right next to me.’ The young swimmer managed to avoid coming into contact with the sea cow, which came in to view a number of times during the short clip. Frightened: The young swimmer managed to avoid coming into contact with the sea cow, which came in to view a number of times during the short clip . Harmless: Manatees are plant-eating creatures that can grow up to 13ft and have a top speed of just 5mph (file picture) The video was posted on Youtube by Katie Gingrich, a friend of the girl. According to The Dodo, it is illegal to 'annoy, molest, harass, or disturb any manatee' under the Endangered Species Act. Manatees bask in warm waters and spend their days grazing on seagrass. They are capable of growing to up to 13ft long and weighing 550kg (1,210lb) - but have a a top speed of just 5mph.
target: Swimmer uses selfie-stick to film her reaction when manatee floats past .
  Frightened Spring-breaker was in water in Florida when she took footage .
  The short clip shows the giant herbivorous creature passing within inches .