‘A very likeable fellow’: Mates of SA sailor Nick Smith pay tribute to their fallen friend

The Salisbury SES, where Mr Smith was a volunteer, held a tribute to their friend on Saturday following his passing in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Nick Smith, 65, was tragically killed while racing on the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron's boat, Bowline, around 2am on Friday. Picture: Supplied

One of South Australia’s leading sailors who lost his life in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race was also a dedicated volunteer, mates from his local State Emergency Service unit have said.

Nick Smith, 65, of Salisbury, volunteered for the area’s SES for the last seven months of his life.

As more tributes were made, friends said he was a “very likeable fellow” and a valued unit member.

The Salisbury SES gathered on Saturday for a memorial to their fallen friend, which unit manager Anthony Gunter likened to a “group therapy session” complete, with a photo of Mr Smith, a candle, and his helmet displayed as a tribute.

The Salisbury SES held a memorial for their fallen friend and volunteer Nick Smith. Picture: Supplied

“He was a good guy,” Mr Gunter said.

“He was a very likeable fellow and very well liked in the unit, and was quite a valued member.”

Mr Gunter said the unit is very tight-knit and were devastated to learn of his death.

“We’re like a family,” he said.

“Given that we volunteer together … when we’re out doing dangerous jobs, you’re putting your life in somebody else’s hands.

“So we have to trust each other, and as such, people formed very close bonds.”

Mr Gunter said that although Mr Smith had only recently joined the unit, his bubbly personality had quickly made him a beloved member of the team.

“His contributions were great,” Mr Gunter said.

“He’d been with us for about seven months, so not a huge amount of time, but long enough that he made an impact on the unit.

“He was a very engaged member, he would attend every training night.

“It was a loss and it was upsetting for everyone involved.”

Sydney to Hobart officials are consulting with the family of the two sailors, including Mr Smith, who died during the race as they work on an appropriate tribute for the pair at this week’s prizegiving ceremony.

Mr Smith, a retired telecoms worker, was on the SA yacht Bowline while Roy Quaden, 55, from WA, was aboard the NSW yacht Flying Fish Arctos.

They both died from catastrophic head injuries within hours of each other on the race’s first night.

“It is still being worked on but the club is planning something,’’ said Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Commodore Sam Haynes – also the overall winner of the 2024 race with his 70 footer Celestial.

A police investigation has been launched, which the CYCA is co-operating with.

A race review is expected to take more than six weeks.

By Sunday night, 30 yachts had retired before Tuesday’s finish.

Originally published as ‘A very likeable fellow’: Mates of SA sailor Nick Smith pay tribute to their fallen friend