A "much-loved" sailor drowned after a rough wave caused him to fall off the side of his boat during a race, an inquest has heard.

Oliver Acutt was taking part in a "friendly regatta" off the coast of Ramsgate when he fell overboard.

The 51-year-old plumber was part of a crew of nine involved in the competition on Wednesday, July 20.

An inquest into his death heard the Stiletto craft that he and his team were on was about three-quarters of the way around the race when the tragic incident took place.

When the boat went to turn around a buoy, a rough wave caused Mr Acutt to lose his footing and fall over the rails and into the water.

A huge emergency response was launched after the incident, with an air ambulance and Coastguard helicopter scrambling to the scene.

Two RNLI lifeboats launched just after 1pm, and he was eventually recovered unconscious and not breathing.

"Our thoughts are with his family, crew and friends"

A medical professional was winched down to take over CPR, but was unsuccessful and Mr Acutt, from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, was tragically declared dead at the scene.

His cause of death was confirmed as drowning.

Commodore Martin Morgans – of the Royal Temple Yacht Club, which hosted the regatta – paid tribute to him as a "much-loved and respected" member of the club's racing fleet.

Speaking the day after the tragedy, he said: "Sadly yesterday, there was an incident on the water which led to the tragic death of a much-loved and respected member of our racing fleet.

"Only one vessel was involved. Our thoughts are with his family, crew and friends who are understandably shocked.

"We remained available last night to support those who needed it. Today, after a short service of remembrance, racing will continue.

"We do so with heavy hearts but in the belief that is what he would have wanted us to do. We ask that our sailing family is given the space to grieve and recover."