THREE diesel-powered fire pumps that cost more than a million pounds will be delivered to the Isle of Man today.

The Department of Infrastructure has ordered the fire pumps as part of a scheme to construct a new fire-fighting system for the Battery Pier oil and gas storage and handling facilities.

The pumps will arrive direct from the manufacturer, Fishcon BV which is based in Lorentzweg, Holland, on the Ben My Chree inside a container that will be the new pump house. It will weigh approximately 51 tonnes.

The pumps, diesel power-packs and control systems will come complete and factory tested for installation in the department's works yard at the Battery Pier.

David Callister MLC, Member for Harbours, said: “This scheme has been developed and constructed in close co-operation with Manx Gas and Manx Petroleums whose sites are linked to the existing system and will of course be linked to the new one.

"The other main stakeholders with which the department has been very happy to work are the residents adjacent to the site of the new pump house, Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service and the Health and Safety at Work inspectorate."

The work is being undertaken as part of the Department of Infrastructure's capital programme and is a planned replacement of the original system that was constructed in the early 1970's as part of the construction of the Princess Alexandra Pier.

The total cost of the scheme is £1.83 million and the cost of the pumps and related equipment is £1.21 million.

Following the installation of the pumps and completion of construction, commissioning of the new system is scheduled to start in July. Provided all goes well the old fire-fighting system, which will continue to be maintained in a fully operational condition, will be replaced by the new system around the end of July.

In preparation for delivery of the pumps the department has installed new pipelines to provide a supply of sea water for the pumps that will be available at all states of tide from the harbour.