GLOBAL yachtsman and respected community worker Peter Garratt has died at the age of 71.

Born in Stanmore, Middlesex on September 15, 1948, Mr Garratt regularly visited the Island from a young age, originally staying in Niton and Bonchurch, before permanently retiring to Yarmouth and his beloved gaff-rigged boat Furstin.

Growing up with two sisters and a brother, parents George and Queenie instilled a benevolent nature in their children.

Mr Garratt studied engineering at Loughborough University and joined British Rail as part of their track and signalling division.

Receiving national recognition in the field, he was brought out of retirement twice, the latter occasion to resolve technical and legal issues involving Eurostar trains crossing above the tracks at Kings Cross station

Mr Garratt was adept at a range of sports, becoming an instructor in two of his most beloved disciplines — skiing and sub-aqua.

He was a long-serving member, and eventually vice president, of Harrow Rugby Club and played a pivotal role in a number of lively activities both on and off the field.

A member of the Royal Solent Yacht Club and active in the Yarmouth community, Mr Garratt held an explosives licence, enabling him to run firework displays and set the coastal beacons alight for the Royal Jubilees and millennium celebration.

In 2016 he made a transatlantic crossing as part of The Arc race. On arrival in Antigua he joined the Nelsonian Tot Club, and on return to Yarmouth joined the local outpost immediately.

As part of his community activities he was a volunteer driver and manned telephones at Mountbatten.

The day of his death, September 10, coincided with the anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Poignantly it was also the three-year anniversary of Mr Garratt accomplishing his lifelong ambition of flying in a Spitfire.

Mr Garratt died five days short of his 72nd birthday, of oesophageal cancer. He leaves behind sisters Linda and Susan, brother Bob, three nieces and one nephew.

A private funeral will be held under Covid-19 regulations on Tuesday September 29.