Former diving skipper takes on unique job

Jan Ellingsen, a Norwegian-born British resident, once skippered the liveaboards Manta Ray, Colona IV and Poseidon’s Quest. He is well known to the many British divers who have enjoyed holidays aboard these craft.

However, this summer Ellingsen, now running the commercial marine services contractor Norse Marine in Southampton, is on a strange mission.

He is using his 20m tugboat Storebror to tow a floating sculpture around the South West.

Nowhereisland was created by Alex Hartley as one of the 12 Artist Taking the Lead projects for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, funded by Arts Council England. Hartley’s project received a £500,000 grant.

For the voyage running through this month and into early September, the eye-catching exhibit’s route takes in many ports.

These include Weymouth, Exmouth, Torquay, Plymouth, Fowey, Mevagissey, Newquay, Ilfracombe and Bristol. The island is currently on passage from Fowey to Mevagissey.

No-one is allowed on the island, but members of the public can call in at the mobile Nowhereisland Embassy, which sets up in the ports of call.

Each person is invited to sign up as a resident ‘Nowhereian’ and contribute to the island’s constitution.

Prospective Nowhereians can also sign up online. The island's population currently stands at nearly 17,500.

Incredulous? Visit www.nowhereisland.org for more.