Family, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to a British yachtsman who was killed in the Caribbean while on a round-the-world trip with his wife.

Roger Pratt tragically died on Friday evening and his wife Margaret was injured when robbers boarded their yacht Magnetic Attraction in Vieux Fort, St Lucia.

Margaret’s
sister Jenny Riley said: ‘We are deeply shocked by the tragic events in
St Lucia. Roger had been preparing Magnetic Attraction for this
voyage over several years and as a talented engineer, his attention to detail
was second to none.

‘The boat was prepared immaculately for world wide cruising
and he was very safety conscious. They had been planning a world cruise for a
long time and in recent years had gained deep sea experience on the south coast
and around Europe.

‘To sail across the Atlantic and explore the Caribbean was
Roger’s dream. Margaret retired in the summer and they set off from Lowestoft
in July. They sailed across the Atlantic with two other members of the family,
arriving in Martinique for Christmas.

‘Just the two of them sailed on to St
Lucia to celebrate the New Year and Margaret’s 60th birthday.

‘They were both
experienced sailors and had sailed dinghies and keel boats since they were
children. There is a big sailing community both in the Broadland area and
around the country who have been following the blog describing
their adventures and experiences.’

She added: ‘The tragic disaster in St Lucia is a
shattering end to their dream and we thank everyone for the messages of
sympathy and support that we have received.

‘We also wish to thank the foreign
office and their colleagues in St Lucia for giving Margaret support and
practical help at this most difficult time.’

The
Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club said in a statement: ‘The club was
stunned and saddened this morning to hear of the tragic death of club member
Roger Pratt aboard his yacht ‘Magnetic Attraction’ moored at St Lucia in the
Caribbean.

‘The
Commodore, Anthony Knights, flag officers and members send their sincere
condolences to his widow, Margaret and all other members of the family.’

Mr
and Mrs Pratt joined the Cruising Association (CA) last year before setting off
on their planned circumnavigation from Lowestoft in Suffolk.

CA
Vice President, Judith Grimwade said: ‘It was with great sadness that we
learned of the death of Roger Pratt. Our local representative in St Lucia has
offered to give all possible support and assistance. 

‘Such
incidents as this are, thankfully, rare which makes them all the more shocking
when they occur. On behalf of the members of the CA, condolences have been sent
to Margaret.’

The
CA’s local representative in St Lucia, Bob Hathaway, said: ‘The entire yachting
and tourism sector is working hard both to support Margaret Pratt.’

He
added: ‘I have already made the offer to look after the yacht should Margaret
decide to leave it in St Lucia and return to the UK.’

A
Foreign & Commonwealth Office spokesman said: ‘We are aware of the death of
a British national on 17 January in St Lucia.

‘We
are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.’