Tom Eckhoff, a founder of the annual Scuttlebutt cruise from the Solent to Cherbourg, has died from lung cancer at the age of 53. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Institute of Navigation for his work in the seismic exploration industry.

Tom used the name ‘Tome’ on the Yachting Monthly chat forum where he shared his considerable sailing knowledge through his 10,000-plus postings. He taught his wife, Karen, to sail on his Oyster 37, Amaya, based in Northney Marina, Chichester Harbour.

Friend and fellow Scuttlebutter Richard Sainsbury, a surgeon, said: ‘We have lost a man who epitomised all that was good about the YBW forum. He was witty, knowledgeable, and generous with his time.’