Stuart Smith was remembered yesterday by his Bermuda "family" as a boating enthusiast who "was doing what he loved" when he died.

The 35-year-old marine mechanic made the Island his home over two years ago and almost immediately became involved in the Bermuda Power Boat Association (BPBA).

Among those to whom he was close were his boss, Ken Parker, and BPBA Commodore Chris Roque; both of whom shared his passion for boat racing.

"Stuart was a good old chap. I've known him for the whole time he has been here. My condolences go out to his family and the staff at A & P (Marine Limited). They are like a family there so I know they are taking it hard," said Roque.

Parker, clearly affected by his employee and friend's death, termed Smith "a gentleman who had grown to be like family".

"He was doing what he loved and he was where he wanted to be. I'm just sorry his passion put him where he is now but he is at peace. We're the ones who are going to suffer because we loved him and we will miss him.

"He came here and found a niche. He gave his best and he enjoyed himself. He loved Bermuda," said Parker, co-owner of A & P.

His business partner, Michael Araujo, was driving the S-Class boat in which Smith perished when it hit a wave and "stuffed" off Coral Beach.

"It's been a very hard day. We lost a very good friend. I truly feel sorry for his son," said Parker, referring to Smith's child in New Zealand.

Roque paid tribute to Smith as a "boat man at heart", adding that "he knew what he was doing out there".

Ironically, it was Roque who partnered Araujo prior to Smith.

"He took over from me actually. I used to race in that boat with Michael so it's hard to know that's where you (once) were," acknowledged the BPBA head.

The organisation, he disclosed, has offered professional counselling to all its members who were at the fatality scene and will be involved in a full investigation of all three racing accidents which took place during yesterday's event.

"We go over every aspect of every incident so we'll definitely have some answers in the near future."

Roque maintained that weather conditions were fine for racing though some competitors termed the seas "very bad".

"Today was perfect racing weather. Our sport is high-risk but this could have happened right here in White Island. It was an accident.

"It could happen in any sport. You could be riding a bike or a horse. It's unfortunate but I wouldn't blame it on the race conditions.

"I would not have sent them (out) if I thought it was unsuitable. That's too much liability on me," said the commodore.

Smith's death was the second in Bermuda's motor-sports community in four months.

On April 14, go-kart driver Jason Matthew died following an accident at Southside.