A relay dive held over 24 hours was held in Port Erin during the Festival of the Beach and Sea.

It was ’exhausting’, said diver Michelle Haywood, but a great way to raise both funds and awareness of the Isle of Man Underwater Search team.

A total of 32 divers took part in the endeavour that began at midday on Saturday.

Because two were diving at the same time, some did a double stints of hour long dives during the day and 90 minutes at night.

Michelle explained that night-time dives can be more entertaining, saying: ’At 2am it’s really dark.

But you can see lots of lobsters, octopuses and squid, they are night time hunters, and your view is different because you focus on what’s in your torch beam.’

They even had a visit from a passing mermaid,also known as swimming teacher Cilla Parnell.

Michelle said: ’So so proud of all the divers (and their families) for all the amazing support and teamwork over the weekend.

’We pushed the limits of dive management, marshalling and human stamina to reach 1,440 minutes underwater.

’We are all tired, hungry and sunburnt.’

The marathon dive session raised a total of £400 for the team which has rescued mobile phones from harbours and rope-tangled boat engines.