The family of 14-year-old Jonathan Martin who fell from the rigging of a ship said "he tragically died while doing something he loved"
Press Association
The family of a 14-year-old sea cadet who died after falling from a training ship spoke today of the loss of a "wonderful son".
Jonathan Martin, of Shadoxhurst, Ashford, Kent, fell from the rigging of TS Royalist in Stokes Bay, off Gosport, Hampshire, on Sunday evening. He was recovered by a lifeboat and taken by helicopter to Queen Alexandra hospital, Cosham, where he was pronounced dead.
His family said in a statement: "Jonathan was a wonderful son and grandson who tragically died whilst doing something that he loved. He was a popular young man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
"We ask that the family are given space and time to come to the terms with their loss.
"In relation to the accident, it is being investigated and we have no further comment to make."
A Hampshire police spokeswoman said the force was investigating on behalf of the coroner and added that the Marine Accident Investigation Branch was leading the inquiry.
Jonathan was one of a number of sea cadets on the Royalist, which had been taking part in celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the movement hours before his death.
Marine Society & Sea Cadets chief executive Mike Cornish said he fell from around 20ft to 30ft while climbing the ship's rigging.
He said Jonathan would have been wearing a safety harness but the cadets did not wear lifejackets when climbing the rigging in case they got tangled.
The 2010 Sea Cadet Festival, which was held over the weekend, saw the youngsters put on displays and demonstrations at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth harbour while a marching band paraded through the marina.
During the celebrations cadets climbed the rigging of TS Royalist for a formal salute and dressed the ship with flags and bunting.
A statement released by the Marine Society & Sea Cadets said it was the first death the ship had experienced since it was commissioned in 1971.
The statement said: "The charity is deeply saddened to report that a tragic and fatal accident occurred on Sea Cadet training vessel TS Royalist on Sunday May 2 2010.
"Our thoughts are with the young cadet's family at this distressing and painful time.
"The charity is now working with the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch to establish the full details of what happened and offering every assistance to the local authorities and police.
"The protection and safeguarding of young people is of paramount importance to the charity, and we take our duty of care very seriously. TS Royalist is staffed by experienced and qualified crew."
The ship is the Sea Cadets' flagship training vessel and has taken 30,000 cadets to sea over the past 39 years, with the capacity to take up to 24 at a time. It has a permanent crew of six, plus up to three additional staff.
The voluntary youth organisation is open to young people aged 12 to 18 but members must be at least 13-and-a-half to go to sea. The Sea Cadets have 14,000 members at 400 units around the UK.
The Guardian
