Tributes after top sailor Graham Eaton killed in Sunshine Coast boat crash

A man killed in a boating accident on the Sunshine Coast at the weekend has been identified as one of Australia’s most experienced sailors.

Graham Eaton died in a tragic accident on the Sunshine Coast early on Sunday.

One of Australia’s top sailors has been identified as the victim of a tragic tinny accident on the Sunshine Coast.

Graham “Scooter” Eaton, 62, died after his boat struck a bridge pylon on the Mooloolah River at Mooloolaba just after midnight on Sunday morning.

His death has been mourned by boating communities across Queensland.

Graham Eaton was one of Australia’s most experienced sailors and ran a respected marine business on the Gold Coast.

Mr Eaton moved to Australia from New Zealand as a child, learning to sail racing yachts in Victoria before moving to Queensland.

An avid racing sailor who competed in yacht races across Australia, including the Sydney to Hobart, he was also a respected shipbuilder, performing restorations on boats including Jessica Watson’s Ella’s Pink Lady after its collision with a freighter ship during her record-breaking voyage around the world.

Jessica Watson waves to wellwishers as her yacht 'Ella's Pink Lady' crosses the official finish line at the entrance to Sydney Harbour in 2010. Picture: Torsten Blackwood.

Splitting his time between the Sunshine and Gold coasts, Mr Eaton was the owner and director of Australian Marine Enterprises at Gold Coast City Marina.

The business has been based at the marina since 2007 and had worked on thousands of vessels.

He was also a decorated sailor and served as navigator on Ragamuffin in this year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

He had previously skippered the famous yacht in Australia’s most iconic sailing race and was involved in an exhaustive restoration of the vessel almost a decade ago.

Racing yacht Ragamuffin competing in a Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

He was also a fixture at Hamilton Island’s Race Week sailing regatta.

News of Mr Eaton’s death sparked a flood of online tributes for the man who leaves behind his wife and three children.

“Sail in peace,” wrote George Canfield on Facebook.

“Really sad.”

“Sail on Scoot,” wrote Ken James Pryor.

“Very sad news.”

Mr Eaton donated his time and materials to help repair Ella’s Pink Lady after it collided with a container ship during the early stages of Jessica Watson’s round-the-world record in 2009.

Watson later visited Mr Eaton and other staff at the Gold Coast City Marina to pay thanks after completing her gruelling journey.

A Queensland Water Police investigation into the cause of the tragedy is ongoing.