Cost of DOI's dive team has risen

The Department of Infrastructure says the cost of its dive team has risen by 15 per cent this year, despite the number of dives more than halving in two years.

Rushen MHK Juan Watterson asked Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall about the cost of the team, which carries out inspections and repairs as well as tackling pollution incidents.

Mr Crookall said the six divers and their equipment cost £5.4 million this year, compared to £4.6 million last year.

And he added up until 2023, they'd made more than 120 dives a year - but that figure dropped to 80 last year and just 63 so far this year.