A MAN found dead at a Hampshire marina was renovating a boat to help injured soldiers, it has been revealed.

Tributes have been paid to Darren Tully, 42, who had served in the Royal Navy for 22 years and was renovating a 1950s ex-Royal Navy Minesweeper at Wicormarine Boatyard near Fareham.

He was found face down in the mudflats on Sunday evening and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Daily Echo understands that Mr Tully had a head injury and is believed to have fallen from the boat.

Police are describing the incident as a “tragic accident”.

On an Internet forum set up to pay tribute to Mr Tully, an anonymous friend has described him as an “amazing individual”.

It’s understood he was renovating the boat with the intention of making it his home, along with doing tours for disabled people and Help for Heroes excursions.

The friend, who was helping him to restore the boat, has commented: “To those who do not know Darren, he was an extremely unique and amazing individual set up with some amazing views of life.

“His way of free-thinking within life was fantastic and so unique.

“He was not pulled back by anything, nothing could stop him.

“There was never a bad day for Darren. He was so unselfish it was untrue. He was just set in life to help others the best he could, and he wouldn't stop until he did.”

Police are still investigating howMr Tully died and a file has been prepared for the coroner.

A post-mortem is expected to take place later this week.