Mull-based couple Chris Thompson and Liz Tallentire are preparing to welcome diving enthusiasts on board their newly converted vessel, Jayne Pearl, operated through their business EMT2 Ltd (Engineering and Marine by Thompson and Tallentire).
From June 2026 they will offer full-board diving trips for groups of 10 to 12, with voyages ranging from long weekends to 10-day adventures.
Chris and Liz, originally from Yorkshire and County Durham, met on a scuba diving trip in Scapa Flow, Orkney in 2017, and quickly bonded over their passion for challenging and adventurous dives. Soon after, they purchased a 19-metre Danish ex-fishing boat that had spent 50 years working in the North Sea, with the aim of transforming it into a fully equipped diving charter vessel.
Alongside their full-time careers in mechanical engineering and NHS clinical psychology, the couple spent evenings and weekends restoring the boat and preparing it for commercial use.
To help complete the final stages of the project, Chris and Liz secured £33,000 of Start Up Loans finance with support from DSL Business Finance. The funding enabled them to dedicate more time to the conversion and covered the technical checks and upgrades required to meet the safety standards for charter operations.
Over the winter, Liz and Chris will finish the remaining work before launching full-time charters in summer 2026. Based on the Isle of Mull, with pick-up available from the mainland, Jayne Pearl will take guests to some of Scotland’s most impressive diving locations, from historic shipwrecks to vibrant marine habitats. They also plan to offer trips to the Isle of Skye and Outer Hebrides, including sought-after destinations such as St Kilda. Longer term, the couple hopes to introduce overseas voyages, including trips to Norway.
Guests can enquire about charters through the company’s website (emt2.co.uk) and social media channels (Jayne Pearl Diving Charters).
Liz said: “Being able to share our passion for diving with other explorers is very exciting. We’ve always loved discovering new sites, and Jayne Pearl gives us the chance to open that world up to others. Our goal is to make each trip as memorable as possible and leave a lasting impression on our guests. In time, we hope to build an established customer base with a positive reputation in the industry.”
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Since it began in 2012, the Start Up Loans programme has provided almost £1.5m across 135 loans to start up businesses in Argyll and Bute.
Barry McCulloch, Senior Manager, UK Network, Scotland at the British Business Bank, said: “Chris and Liz have turned their expertise and enthusiasm into an exciting venture for those wanting to explore Scotland’s waters. EMT2 will give the diving community access to a range of unique sites, supported by expert guidance. We’re pleased the Start Up Loans programme could help them bring their vision to life.”
Lindsay Hamilton, senior loan officer at DSL Business Finance said: “It was a pleasure working with Chris and Liz to secure the funding that they required to complete the conversion of the vessel and get the business started. They are both very driven and organised individuals with a multitude of skills that will enable them to make a success of this venture and realise their dream that they have been working towards for a number of years.”
