Tributes to protection and indemnity club executive Neil Day have poured in following his death at the age of 53.
The experienced claims handler passed away due to complications following an operation.
Known to many in the shipping world, Day began his career at the West of England club, where he worked as a claims handler from 1995 to 2003.
Following that, he was a claims executive at the Shipowners' Club and then British Marine.
He joined Britannia P&I in 2011, before venturing out into a non-P&I role for a few years.
However, he returned to the fold and, at the time of his death, was a claims executive at Steamship P&I, where he had just been promoted.
Day was described to TradeWinds as a big sport fan, following rugby and football in particular.
He was an avid supporter of Manchester United Football Club and a keen follower of the famous club's women's team.
'So well-known'
Day was also an artist and spent a lot of his spare time painting and drawing.
He loved to travel, and the Spanish island of Ibiza was a particular favourite, as was the Edinburgh Festival.
"He was so well-known in the shipping insurance, shipbroking and shipping lawyer community and was a regular visitor to the Windsor pub in Fenchurch Street, London," one former colleague told TradeWinds.
"He is much missed and remembered by many and of course by his family, particularly his mother Valerie and brother Ian."
Another former employer was DGS Marine, which was run by David Skinner, who died in 2016 aged 52.
Paul Dean, global head of shipping at law firm HFW, called Day "a stalwart of the P&I world".
Death of colleague shook Day
"I knew Neil for over 25 years, including his time at West of England, the Shipowners' Club, DGS and Steamship Mutual," he said.
Dean said the death of Skinner, and the collapse of DGS, shook Day to the core.
"I remember meeting him shortly thereafter when he was really struggling," Dean recounted. "However, his resilience was a sight to behold and it was great to see his confidence returning, with him resuming his social support of the industry.
"More recently, I recall a lovely text I had from him in early February this year when he was excited to let me know he had been invited to join Steamship's European team as a claims handler. Sadly, the vagaries of life took him away before we could celebrate the completion of his rejuvenation."
Dean called Day a "true gentleman", and the P&I world is poorer for his loss.
Wit and laid-back charm
Sacha Patel, of Steamship Insurance Management Services, said Day "was liked by everyone he came across at Steamship".
"We instantly warmed to his wit and laid-back charm," Patel said.
"Neil brightened up the office with a number of paintings carefully created in his spare time — he was a very talented artist as well as being excellent at his job. He is sorely missed by everyone at Steamship."
And Jose Calmon, a claims executive at Skuld, described Day as "one of the nicest" people around.
"He was kind and had a very good sense of humour," Calmon said. "He will definitely be missed by his colleagues and friends."
A British Heart Foundation donation fund has raised more than £2,100 ($2,600) in his name so far.
Donations can be made here.
