Paolo Allasia, yacht designer and co-owner of Italian studio EXE Design, died on 21 August, aged 48.
According to local reports, Allasia dived into the waters off the coast of San Lorenzo al Mare, Italy, to assist a group of swimmers, including two of his children, who were struggling to reach the shore.
Allasia was born and raised in Diano d'Alba, Piedmont and began his career as a designer in 2003 at the now-defunct I.DE.A Institute in Turin, Italy, where he worked as an interior designer on the Fiat Grande Punto.
He is best-known as co-owner and chief designer of the design studio EXE Design, notable for its NeXe Sport 48 and Exeption 65 yacht concepts.
Through his work at the studio, Allasia worked on several high-profile yacht projects. For AB Yachts, he and the wider EXE Design team were responsible for supporting the design of the retractable two-seater helm station on the 33.7-metre AB 110 flybridge, as well as the "Flying Couch" in the bow and the extendable cover of the aft cockpit.
This craftsmanship also supported the exterior designs of several Azimut yachts, including the "Fun Island" aft on the Seadeck 6 and the hull, deck and flybridge on the Fly 82.
Tributes from across the yachting and design world have been made on social media. Next Yacht Group posted: "Paolo was an extraordinary talent and valued partner, someone with whom working was always a genuine pleasure."
Italian engineer and designer, Paolo Schiavone, posted: "A thought for Paolo Allasia, whom I had the pleasure of meeting and with whom I had the opportunity to work.
A wonderful person, as well as a great professional."
"Your humility, despite your incredible talent, has always been disarming for me and a source of sincere admiration," posted Axel Iberti, design curator at Italian Radical Design.
Allasia is survived by his wife, Elisa, and their three children.