Kerry Blaymires, a key figure within the H28 Yacht Owners Association, tragically lost his life in a yachting accident off the Taranaki Coast in May 2004.

He was an experienced sailor whose achievements included a number of delivery voyages both offshore and around New Zealand.

Kerry took a leading role within the Association and was also a member of the Cruising and Navigators Association among others. He was instrumental in the placement of a navigation light at Mahurangi. Kerry was generous with his time and shared his extensive technical and practical knowledge willingly with others. Much of this knowledge he gained while researching and building his own H28 yacht.

He had a life long passion for sailing and one of his goals was to do more blue water sailing and spend more time enjoying the New Zealand coast.