Christmas tradition to allow people to dive in port

Permission is needed from the harbourmaster to dive in the harbour in Guernsey on 25 December

A popular festive tradition is due to take place in Guernsey on Christmas Day, with divers being given the opportunity to explore parts of St Peter Port Harbour.

Fewer scheduled boat movements on 25 December makes diving in the area possible.

People looking to take part would need prior permission from the harbourmaster and be part of an organised diving group, organisers said.

Groups would also need to provide risk assessments and safety plans for approval by Wednesday 20 December, they added.

Harbourmaster Captain David Barker said: "Christmas Day is the only day on which diving by organised groups can be carried out safely in the designated harbour areas.

"Diving can only be carried out with prior permission from Guernsey Ports to ensure that divers are able to explore these areas of the harbour safely.”

The divers would need a surface marker buoy and be accompanied by a support vessel, harbour bosses said.

Support vessels, which would need to have marine VHF Radio, would inform Guernsey Vessel Traffic Service when divers entered and exited the water, they added.