Jobless couple refloat careers via Ireland’s first cruise-dive business

A COUPLE who lost their jobs within two months of each other didn’t sink into despair.

Instead they invested their redundancy money in a former British Royal Navy ship which they will use to run Ireland’s first cruise-dive business.

Graham and Anne Ferguson from Nohoval, Co Cork, have purchased the former 24-metre tender which is currently being refitted with six twin cabins and new crew quarters.

The ship will become operational in the early summer and will be based in Cork. It will operate along the Cork and Kerry coast, providing tailored packages for tourists, especially those interested in exploring wrecks and sea life.

“Our guests will be able to dive many wrecks outside Cork harbour, including the Aud – the ship which Roger Casement used to carry arms in for the 1916 Easter Rising,” Anne said.

She lost her job in the retail division of Dairygold last February and two months later Graham, a diesel fitter with Pfizer, was also made redundant.

The couple are passionate about the sea and are qualified divers and boat handlers. Putting their experience to good use they started developing a business plan for their new company, Oceanaddicts. “We were encouraged and supported throughout the process by many people and agencies, in particular the West Cork Development Partnership, Enterprise Ireland, the Genesis Project and Fáilte Ireland. We really appreciated all this support,” Graham said.

Oceanaddicts will provide clients with their meals on board and they will have the opportunity for a few pints or dinner when the ship pulls into the small harbours in Cork and Kerry – further boosting the coffers of the south-western economy.

“The idea behind the packages we’re offering is that people will be able to enjoy diving in a unique environment and also the beautiful coastline we have. We also plan to offer packages for people who are interested in whale and dolphin watching,” Anne said.

The company has initially targeted diving enthusiasts in Ireland and Britain, but plans to expand into the Northern European market in the next two years.

The couple have booked a stand at the All Ireland Dive Conference in Cavan next month and at the London Dive Show in March to show what they have to offer.

Graham and Anne are two star dive instructors with the DAUNT Sub Aqua Club and have been diving for more than 15 years around Ireland and abroad – and Graham is a former winner of Irish Underwater Photography competitions.