A diver who died salvaging a sunken tourist boat is being honored. He was key to the rescues after a boat overturned in Thailand this summer in rough seas, killing 47. CGTN's Martin Lowe reports from Phuket.

Fellow divers said Nipat Kladnak, seen here on the left of the screen, was dedicated to the Phoenix operation. He was the one who had first found the lost boat on the seabed, after it sank in a storm in July. Known to everybody by his nickname Josh, he was involved in all aspects of the mission - the search for survivors, recovery of the bodies, retrieval of passengers' money and valuables and then the first attempts to raise the wreck. Standing at the stern of the dive boat as it heaved and rolled in bad weather, he fell. It's thought he may have struck his head before slipping unconscious into the sea. Though efforts were made to revive him, he was pronounced dead at hospital. Josh had married his partner weeks before. Their first child – a boy – was born days after his death. Josh never saw his son. In his diary Josh had written: "I'm so glad to be a part of the rescue mission. It's doing a good thing with my ability and my heart. I am especially proud that I was the one who found the wreck."

MARTIN LOWE PHUKET "Josh's fellow divers said his death had a profound impact on the recovery team. Briefly they stopped work then decided to continue in his memory, dedicating the operation to their lost friend."

In the end, recovering the boat proved technically too-difficult – and the job was handed over to a better-equipped team. But no-one doubted the effort of those involved. Forty-seven Chinese holidaymakers drowned when the Phoenix sank. All of the divers were determined that the wreck would be raised for investigators to examine. None more so than Josh who gave his life trying to ensure greater safety for those who go to sea in future. Martin Lowe, CGTN, Phuket.