Brixham’s maritime community is in shock following the sudden death of Colin Mawbey (61)  Chair of the Vigilance of Brixham and one of the boat’s skippers.

He had been associated with Vigilance for more than 11 years starting as crew and working his way to become skipper and Chair of the Trustees of Vigilance of Brixham.

Acting Chair of the Trustees, Peter Milligan, says: “Colin was a popular skipper bringing a unique blend of skill and humour to the role. He built up enormous experience on Vigilance and was a regular sight around the harbour. His untimely death came as a shock to everyone and he is sorely missed.”

Many of Vigilance’s crew, past and present, have been swift to pay tribute to him. Anne Engels says: “His unique sense of humour and kindness towards everyone made him a first-rate skipper and a good friend. I have lost a dear friend and a boating buddy. I will miss him enormously.”

Fellow skipper Jon Welch says: “His humour was everywhere, but surely the most amusing was his affectionate name for Vigilance which he called ‘The Leaky Wench’.”

Neil Murray, Colin’s predecessor as Chair of the Trustees said, “He possessed wisdom to use the skills of those around him, humility to not be afraid to ask, courage to stand his ground and humour to make people feel embraced.”

He glowed with pride when he skippered the boat in the annual Brixham Heritage Rally wresting the King George V Cup from rival Pilgrim in 2021.  A crew member says “Colin was as cool as a cucumber under pressure and took us to victory!” Another commented: “He was proud of that victory and rightly so.”

Colin wore his rank lightly observing “We all start as novices and the wise ones still claim to be novices at the end.”

Colin Mawbey’s death followed a short illness.  The funeral is at St. Mary’s Church Brixham on Thursday 29th. February at 12.30. Colin leaves a wife Deb, children Chris, Antonia, Simon and a granddaughter Addilyn who he adored.

Colin Peter Mawbey  6 September 1962 – 8 February 2024

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