"As a baby, as a little child, he was in my pocket.
"He would give you his last dime if you needed it,'' she told the Hawke's Bay Today.
Sealord released a statement paying tribute to their fallen colleague and his family after the incident.
"Sealord is deeply saddened by this tragic event and extends their sympathy and support to the family and friends of Pātahi, crew of Ōtākou and Sealord staff.''