A Kingsteignton man has died while delivering a yacht to America.

Fifty-year-old father of two Steve Hobley was at the helm of the catamaran, Haley, on February 17, when it encountered storm-force conditions 200 miles off the coast of Bermuda. He had captained the boat since its departure from la Sable, France, and was en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

But mid-journey he was given instructions to alter his course for Maryland and into an area of the North Atlantic notorious for winter gales. His crew mate, American Kevin Klinges, told reporters at the Idaho Mountain Express that sea conditions deteriorated rapidly.

he said he saw a giant wave coming. 'It was, no joke, easily 45ft high and it dropped like a building on the back of the boat,' he said. Although they survived that first rogue wave, others followed.

Mr Hobley captained the boat for several hours more and then, exhausted, went below to get some rest, taking off his survival suit. When the boat finally capsized, the crew, including another Englishman, Olaf Templeman, clung together on the upturned hull.

But without his specialist gear Mr Hobley struggled to withstand the freezing conditions during a nine-hour wait for an American Coastguard Service helicopter. His fate was sealed when, as the helicopter approached, he was swept away by another giant wave and his body lost. His colleagues were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment.

Mr Hobley's partner, Anne Stevens, was too upset to talk directly with the press but, through a close friend, said she blamed the late change of course for her partner's death.

In a statement posted on Mr Hobley's website, she said: 'September 1987 I met the love of my life. Over the years we have been together and been apart. We had finally got it together, it was at last our time. 'We spent a particularly happy time over Christmas and new year together at my home in Dittisham prior to what was going to be Steve's last delivery before a new life together, starting in the British Virgin islands – sailing, of course! 'He was so looking forward to returning this coming weekend to see his new granddaughter and to sort out the final plans for [his daughter] Fran's wedding in April. I don't know how life can be so cruel. I will always love you Steve. xxx A.'