I trust I am resonating the prevailing sentiment among Patrick Vella’s close friends when I state that we lost a peerless marine buff through his untimely demise last week.

Patrick infected all those around him with his inherent passion for the sea. I, for one, owe my venturing into the scuba diving world to his encouragement 15 years ago. He managed to instil confidence underwater in all those he accompanied, since taking the dip was literally second nature to him.

His entrepreneurship and vision for anything maritime was unparalleled, from the educational to certification, from the commercial to the industrial; he would keep any eye open while underwater for different forms of marine life which he found fascinating.

Such acute observation skills yielded, for instance, the first ever records of the upside-down jellyfish in our waters, as well as a handful of other new records which probably would have gone unnoticed by less discerning divers.

Patrick – you are and will be sorely missed. The lacuna you left behind will not be easily filled.

Needless to say, you will live on as a local champion of our seas and all of us feel privileged to have known your gentle and generous self. Condolences go to your wife Rosanne and your three angels.