TRIBUTES have been paid to a beloved charter boat skipper who has sadly passed away.

Alan Hatter, 58, of Bradwell-on-Sea, passed away suffering a heart attack in his home on July 19.

Mr Hatter was a well-known charter boat skipper in the region, having devoted most of his life to taking people out on the waters. He was labelled by some as the “Bradwell Kingfisher”.

He had his own boat, and was a skipper in Bradwell for over 10 years, taking people out on the water nearly every day of the week, until a previous heart attack two years ago which forced him to retire from the seas.

Alan’s wife Jean Hatter, 65, paid tribute to her husband, saying he had a “remarkable” devotion to the seas.

She said: “Alan was a skipper for over 10 years and he loved his job to bits. We used to live in East Tilbury near Southend before moving to Bradwell four years ago, and when we lived there he would travel over almost daily to take his Bullet Boat out.

“He was a man in his element on the water, when he had to retire on medical grounds two years ago it was devastating for him, but he knew he had to stop for his own safety.”

Mrs Hatter has given her utmost praise for the Essex Air Ambulance crew who came out to her husband on the day of his death last month, saying that the crew were “absolutely fantastic” with their handling.

Alan is survived by his wife, three children David, Samantha and Nina, and six grandchildren, including Jenna, Olivia and Stuart who attended his funeral.

Alan’s funeral was held in Basildon on Monday, where he was cremated. The family then journeyed to Bradwell where they let several balloons go across the marina to commemorate his memory.

Jean added: “The air ambulance crews who looked after Alan when he passed away were absolutely magnificent. They did such a good job looking after him and talking to us all when taking him away.

“My neighbours and co-workers at Downhill Care Home have also been wonderful, I know Alan would have loved to see his family with such support.”