'Gamechanger' as Ireland's first commercial submarine starts work

Ireland's first commercial submarine has begun work after six months of sea trials off the south coast.

The two-seater submersible, which is battery powered, was built in the Netherlands and cost more than €1m.

Atlantis Explorer 1 has been undergoing intensive testing since April in the waters around Cléire, off Baltimore in west Cork.

The two-and-a-half tonne submarine can dive to a depth of 100 metres and can stay submerged for up to eight hours at a time.