Family pays tribute to West Sussex man, 27, killed in France yacht crash - 'He was full of the joys of life'

Jake Feldwhere, 27, from Midhurst, was on the foredeck of an 88ft-long Minx, preparing to lift the anchor, when he was struck and killed by another, 78-ton, yacht off the coast of Île Sainte-Marguerite, near Cannes, on the evening of May 25, 2019. It was the crewman’s first day at sea on board the yacht.

According to the UK Government's Marine Accidents Investigation Branch, published on Thursday (January 28), there was nothing Jake could have done to prevent the collision, which happened after the skipper of a Gibraltar-registered motor yacht Vision, 'underestimated the risk' associated with attempting a 'fast, close pass by'.

The report added that the Vision skipper, whose judgement was 'likely' to have been impaired by his use of cannabis, was attempting the manoeuvre to allow his guests to wave goodbye to their friends. The Frenchman lost control of the boat while speeding at 33 knots, more than six times the local speed limit.

French emergency services and maritime police attended the scene but the injured crewman 'could not be resuscitated'.

Paying tribute, Jake's family said 'not a day goes by that we do not think about him'.

They added: "He was 27 years old and full of the joys of life.

"As we continue to try and come to terms with our grief, we also try to remember Jake with a smile and love in our hearts.

"He was a gorgeous, chubby, always tanned baby whose hair stuck up from his head in an alarming manner. He e grew to be a super fit, highly energetic, bright, and quick-witted individual who laughed loudly, sang even louder and who could talk incessantly."

Former Midhurst Grammar School, and Chichester College, student, Jake was remembered as an ‘incredibly independent, super helpful, always caring’ man, who looked out for his friends and whose family 'were his world'.

"And the world was his family," they added. "Jake was passionate about life and the planet; he knew more facts about the world than anyone else and was impossible to beat at

board games.

"He was also obsessed with Harry Potter, having grown up reading the books he knew everything and could quote passages to anyone interested.

"His love of books grew as he did, this was the only time you would find Jake quiet and thoughtful with a book in hand."

A 'home-loving boy at heart', Jake 'did not let that put him off travelling', his family said.

"He travelled extensively through New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Bali, Europe, making friends as he went and sharing his spirit of adventure.