Seven groups approved for Guernsey's Christmas Day harbour dive

Seven dive groups have been given approval for Guernsey's St Peter Port Harbour Christmas Day dive.

The festive tradition gives divers the opportunity to search the seabed for fresh scallops, old artefacts and other finds.

Prior permission from the harbour master and fewer scheduled boat movements on Christmas Day makes diving in the area possible.

There are set to be 28 people involved in the activity throughout the morning.

A 3rd Century Gallo Roman shipwreck known as Asterix was discovered by local diver Richard Keen in the harbour entrance on 25 December 1982.

Other Christmas Day dives have led to the discovery of like antique bottles and cups.

All divers are required to have a surface marker buoy and be accompanied by a support vessel with marine VHF Radio monitoring Guernsey VTS (channel 12) at all times.

Jerome Davis, head of port operations, said: "Christmas Day is the only day on which diving by organised groups can be carried out safely in the designated harbour areas.

"I would like to thank our staff who will be providing cover for the hyperbaric chamber at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital should the need be required."

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