THE Isle of Wight man who co-established a popular Isle of Wight boat cruise and charter company 55 years ago — Mark Rayment — died on June 25, aged 77.

Born in Borthwood, near Apse Heath, on August 25, 1946, Mark started out as a carpenter and fisherman, before venturing on to 12-seater boats.

With then wife Jenny, the Rayment family went on to establish Solent Cruises in 1969.

They began offering fishing trips around Bembridge, which saw the business expand in 1973, when the first-ever Cowes harbour tour was offered during Cowes Week.

During Cowes Week, Solent Cruises used a 12-seater boat, which became the legendary Jenny Lee.

That same tour still runs from Trinity Landing, on Cowes Parade, to this day.

Mark’s "welcoming manner and dulcet tones" over the PA system, aboard one of his vessels during a sightseeing cruise, was legendary.

He remained active in the business until March this year.

In 1986, Wightline Cruises was bought and the two cruise/charter operations were combined and rebranded as Solent and Wightline Cruises, three years later.

The success of the business continued and the fleet was expanded, which ranged from the smaller 75-passenger 'Jenny' boats, to the 500-passenger Wight Scene.

Several of the boats, past and present, took the names of Mark’s wife, son, daughter and granddaughter, such as the Jenny R, Jenny Lee, Ali Cat and Ashleigh-R, whilst the other naming policy featured the word 'Scene'.

The reigns of the hugely successful family business were handed over to Mark’s daughter, Ali, and son Lee, in 2007.

From there, the business has continued to go from strength to strength and in 2020, the company name reverted back to Solent Cruises.

A keen angler, Mark was a founding member of Bembridge Angling Club.

Also, in his spare time, Mark had a passion for motorbikes and went to TT racing events, each and every year.

As a regular County Press reader, Mark enjoyed reading the births, deaths and marriages section, each week.

Mark is survived by his second wife Paula, son, Lee, and daughter, Alison. 

His funeral was held on Wednesday (July 10).