THE partner of a man who died when his boat fell on him at a Weymouth harbourside yard has paid an emotional tribute to her "best friend and wonderful partner".

Kevin Keeler, 56, was carrying out repairs beneath the 29ft yacht at the Weymouth Sailing Club site on Nothe Parade on Monday when it suddenly toppled over on to him.

Despite attempts to save him he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Both Dorset Police and the Health and Safety Executive have launched investigations into the incident that happened at about 12.30pm.

His partner of two years, Tatiana Saltykova, said Mr Keeler, a father-of-five, had been a keen sailor since he was a teenager and they had bought the boat together in January.

The pair moved to the Weymouth area last year and become well-known to the local sailing community, before buying their first boat, the Ginny Kwik.

Mr Keeler, who ran his own business as a consultant software engineer, had taken his boat out of the harbour last week to carry out two weeks of maintenance to it.

Ms Saltykova said: "Kevin was passionate about sailing and a well-loved member of the Weymouth sailing community.

"He loved his children. He was my best friend and a wonderful partner, I will miss him dearly."

The boat had been sat on a metal frame with the hull raised 3ft off the ground before the tragic accident happened.

The Health and Safety Executive investigation will look into the possibility that one side of the metal cradle buckled or collapsed, causing the boat to tip over onto Mr Keeler.

The vessel remains slumped over on one side at the boatyard.

A friend of Mr Keeler's, who didn't want to be named, said the incident was "terribly sad and a shock to the sailing community".

They added: "He was a lovely fella, a really nice guy.

"He was affable, approachable and complimentary about everybody else's sailing technique.

"Although he was quite a new member at the club, he was very actively involved.

"He was always one of the first to volunteer and happy to help out with anything at the club."

Euan NcNair, commodore of Weymouth Sailing Club, said: "Everybody is very shocked, it's an extremely sad occasion for us and our thoughts go out to his relatives.

"The Health and Safety Executive is investigating and the yard is effectively shut down."