Chichester harbourmaster Lt Col John Q Davis OBE has died after collapsing while sailing on Saturday.

It was later discovered that he had suffered a suspected heart attack on his Solent Sunbeam dayboat, Fleury, and he was announced dead on his arrival at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth.

Ex-Royal Marine John had been harbourmaster since July 1997, responsible for both the harbour authority and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

He received an OBE in 2005 for services to sailing and the environment of Chichester Harbour.

Acting harbourmaster Richard Craven, John’s former deputy, said: ‘We are devastated by the sudden loss of John Davis, both a friend and colleague. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.’

John is survived by his wife Valerie and two children Ben and Becky.

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