Family and friends paid tribute yesterday to avid sportsman, loving husband and father Derek Bell, who died in a boating accident on Tuesday night.

The 38 year old is believed to have drowned after apparently falling off his boat, while stepping onto his punt at Rocky Hill Bay, St. George's, at 8 p.m.. Just minutes earlier he had been speaking to his wife on a cellphone as she stood on the nearby shore.

The Bermuda International Airport, air conditioning engineer and supervisor had gone to check on his boat moored when it appears he slipped off his boat and into the water. Mr. Bell had three children, Cheyra, 14 and Tahj, 11, from his first marriage to Carlene Spencer-Darrel and Detr?, five with his second wife Kim Bell.

Mr. and Mrs. Bell were on their way to celebrate his daughter Cheyra's birthday when they stopped to check the boat.

Mrs. Bell said they were speaking on the cellphone as he got off the boat and she could see him from the shore. But, she said, he replied that he couldn't see her.

Mrs. Bell went back to the car and waited for him to come back to shore on the punt. But when he didn't return she dialed 911. Marine Police officers found Mr. Bell's body at 9.45 p.m., he was rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital but pronounced dead at 10.45 p.m..

The Police Service sent their condolences to the Bell family and thanked members of the public who tried to rescue Mr. Bell.

His widow, Kim Bell spoke with yesterday about her tragic loss. She said: "Why him? He was my best friend, and a great husband and father to all his children. Derek was well loved by everyone. He loved life and lived it to the full. He always had a surprise for me."

She described how he took her on a surprise trip overseas by pretending he had to drop off his tools from the airport, and then produced their luggage from the car instead.

"He was always doing stuff like that. When I'd come home from work, he would always have dinner cooked and there was always a surprise party.

"I wish he would come home today, I wish I could see him walking around the corner. I couldn't help it, I couldn't get to him," she said, referring to his tragic death.

She thanked his family and friends who were at the dock, at the hospital and at their home over the last day.

Derek's father Col. Michael Hall also paid tribute to his son.

"He was the best. This is the second time for me. I lost another son 11 years ago on a boat. I should be a veteran, but I don't understand why.

"He loved life. He was a friend to his workmates, firm, but fair."

Carlene Spencer-Darrel, Derek's first wife, said: "He was happy and he loved life. Our two children are still in shock.

"He graduated from Warwick Academy with 16 GCSE's and was offered two university scholarships, an academic one and one for soccer. However, he opted for the apprenticeship programme at Bermuda Air Conditioning.

Another good friend and workmate, Vernon Fox, said: "He was a very nice guy, one of the best and he was very professional at work.

"He was one of my best mates, we were like glue. We hung out together and played yukka (a card game) and fished near the Oil Docks. We were together Tuesday (yesterday) just an hour before he had drowned. It was my punt he was using.

"Every year a big group of us would go to Daytona, Florida for NASCAR racing. Derek would invite everyone to his house to discuss the plans and prices for the trip. He loved to travel and he knew his way around, we would just follow him.

"He was like a son to me. I am much older than Derek. He lobbed (hung) around with older people.

"When I got home, my sister-in-law called to say that a young guy had drowned. I was later called and I found it was Derek. It is so sad."

Derek Bassett, a friend for around 20 years, said: "He will be sadly missed, we did everything together. We played football for Hotels together before he went to North Village.

"When I got married I told my wife, you will be married to him as well, we are still married. I have so much to say, but what words can you say that sums up a best friend."