TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Royal Navy Officer who has sadly died.

Martyn Smith, 56, sadly died on February 26 following a long fight with bone marrow cancer.

Mr Smith was a respected former Royal Navy Officer and RNLI Inspector who grew up in Leigh.

The son of the late Pat and Don Smith, he was born at Rochford Hospital in October 1962 and lived until the age of 18 at the family home in Tankerville Drive with his younger brother Duncan.

Martyn attended West Leigh Junior School and subsequently Westcliff High School for Boys where he flourished academically and on the rugby field.

Throughout his adolescence, he was an active member of the 3rd Chalkwell Bay Sea Scout Group where he developed a passion for the sea. He was also a part-time barman at The Smack Inn in Old Leigh where he also discovered his love of beer.

After his A Levels, he attended Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth where he trained as an Naval Officer and having achieved a high pass in his training, he was selected to undertake a Systems and Management Degree at City University before embarking on his naval career.

As a Naval Officer, he travelled extensively including the Caribbean, post-war Falklands and he was the Navigator of the frigate HMS Brave during the first Gulf War. Mr Smith was an accomplished offshore yachtsman and participated in numerous tallships races including a trans-Atlantic passage. Latterly, he was a skipper for The London Sailing Project taking youngsters on cruises in the UK and across The Channel.

After his naval career, he joined the RNLI as a divisional inspector for the Eastern Division which enabled him to rekindle his links with the Southend crews and fund raising team.

Duncan Smith, Mr Smith's brother, said: "Martyn was popular and respected for his seamanship, drive and commitment to high standards. Following restructuring within the RNLI, Martyn was posted to take control of RNLI operations in Ireland where he stayed for over ten years until his untimely death last week in St James’ Hospital, Dublin.

"He was clearly immensely popular with the stations on both sides of the border and at his Irish wake, crews travelled from all over to pay their respects.

"During his time in Ireland, he made many friends and during his illness, these friendships provided the love and support he needed to cope with such a debilitating condition."

Mr Smith is survived by Rachel, his wife of 29 years, his family in Cornwall, Leigh and Suffolk.

Duncan Smith added: "Martyn as a larger than life character who fought his battle with dignity to the end."