About Us
Marine Quest was founded back in 2004 over 20 years ago, by father and son Jim and Iain Easingwood. As the first dive boat charter company to operate out of Eyemouth, exploring sites in the Marine Reserve and the first to explore dive sites stretching north beyond St Abbs and south towards Burnmouth.
The Easingwood family has a deep-rooted maritime heritage, with Iain representing the fourth generation of mariners and having over 80 years of experience at sea between them.
The charter boat Jacob George accommodates up to 12 divers and features a dive lift for easy entry and exit. It also offers a deck-access toilet, seating in the wheelhouse, ample indoor space to keep valuables safe and dry, and cabin bunks for any longer passages.
You can read more about Iain and Jim's history in the section below, which includes an interesting story about the Jacob George,, how the current charter boat got it's name.
Iain is known for his professionalism, reliability, and strong focus on safety - all so you can relax and enjoy your dives.
His ability to read the weather and conditions while understanding his divers allows him to plan and tailor each dive trip and sites to suit the conditions and the group. This thoughtful approach has earned him a solid reputation in the diving community.
Though he’s not one to shout about it, Iain has played a key role in discovering and taking divers to several significant unidentified wrecks in the North Sea.
Iain has a quiet passion for wildlife and nature. He has a wild eye and plenty of knowledge to share - once you get him talking!
People often mention the friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere and the high standard of service - a reflection of the pride and care that come from running a full-time family business that’s been your livelihood for over 20 years - and hopefully for another 20 to come.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.
History
Iain learnt the ropes from working on his father Jim's trawler, the Norwood, which Jim operated for many years out of Eyemouth.
Transitioning from a life of fishing out of Eyemouth, Iain and Jim felt they could offer their expertise and experience in boat handling, along with their local knowledge, to meet a growing interest in diving and exploration in the area.
They operated their first boat North Star, along with a ladder entry. Read about their first charter boat - Get Charter: The North Star (credit: Mike Clark)
The following year, they added Silver Sky to the fleet, which Jim operated and also opened up to angling and wildlife trips.
The North Star was later replaced by the Jacob George, which now continues to operate as the only boat skippered by Iain after Jim retired from operating Silver Sky in 2024. Read more about the history of the Jacob George in the section below.
Iain continues to run the business, with help from his dad Jim - and of course, his mum Ethel, who many will remember from the much-loved Harbourside café, Questo. These days, she’s more behind the scenes, but still very much involved… and likely the one picking up the bedding for the laundry!
History of the
Jacob George
Historically, the name of the dive boat Jacob George was associated with a herring steam drifter from Great Yarmouth.
It became notable due to a dramatic incident near Eyemouth, Scotland, before World War II.
During a stormy approach to Eyemouth Harbour, the vessel ran aground on rocks. The crew of 11 were rescued using a breeches buoy system. Although the ship was initially presumed lost.
It was later salvaged and repurposed for salvage operations in Dunbar by Robert Easingwood, Iain's great-grandfather. (Bob the Diver)
Bob was a naval diver and salvage operator and wore the lead boots and a divers' helmet. You can see some of the historic photos in the gallery below.
For any of you that have met Iain, you can see the resemblance of his great-grandfather, although Iain chooses to try and stay dry on deck - he is a qualified diver, but perhaps some of his sense of adventure and pro-active nature comes from this side of the family.
