Having lived all my life only yards from the sea it was in my blood to have boats, go fishing and eventually scuba diving. When I was 19 I first started diving and I also joined our local lifeboat crew (qualification coxswain) – 36 years later I’m still going strong with both.

Being a diver myself I saw a growing number of divers coming to the Island and struggling to find dive services such as boat charter, air fills etc., a dive shop (Seasports in Port Erin) came up to let in 1998 so we took it over and bought a 5.5mtr Avon rib to take out divers. As the business grew I purchased a 6.5mtr Coastline rib and now being able to take out larger groups, in 2002 I converted part of my workshop into a dive centre, moved in the compressor from the shop and renovated the top floor as accommodation – at this point Isle of Man Diving Holidays was formed.

Helping me on the boats is my son Tom (aged 21) who has been coming out with me since he was 4; he is also a qualified scuba diver and joined our local lifeboat crew when he was 17. Since joining the lifeboat he has qualified in: Sea survival, first aid, fire fighting, RYA Powerboat level 1 & 2 and Day Skipper.