A PIONEER in the field of satellite communications, who crossed the Atlantic in a home-made sailing boat, has died in a boating accident on the Wareham River.

Martin Weston, who lived at Harman’s Cross, hit the headlines in August 1971 after a 3,000 mile, 40-day transatlantic crossing from New Jersey to Lymington, aboard the 26-ft Cicely II, with his 17-year-old son Paul.

Born in Wareham in 1925, Martin left school at 14. His interest in all things mechanical and electrical was stifled by the onset of war and he served with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

Once back on English soil, Martin secured a job at the Signals Research and Development Establishment at Steamer Point, Highcliffe, working on cutting-edge communications projects.

He met his wife Cicely in 1948 and the couple had five children and 16 grandchildren, moving to New Milton before setting up home at Barton-on-Sea.

In the 1960s Martin designed and built the rowing boat Cicely, rowing around the Isle of Wight before fitting an engine and taking her to France.

In 1967 he was asked to work in New Jersey as part of Project Mallard, a multinational military communications system. He bought True Vine, sailing her from Penarth to Poole, before turning his attention to Cicely II.

Martin became increasingly involved in portable satellite communicatons, including the 501 project, and was technical representative to NATO on satcoms before being seconded to the SAS Signals Unit.

During retirement he restored True Vine and set out on extensive voyages to northern Spain, Scotland and round Ireland.

Paying tribute to his father, Paul said: “He truly was exceptional and an astonishingly good engineer. Kindness was his defining quality. He lived a very full life and his contribution made the world a better place.”

The much-loved father and grandfather’s funeral service took place at Swanage Methodist Church on May 31.