The parents of a man killed in a New Year’s Day boat crash said that a hospitality industry scholarship to be renamed in memory of their son would have meant the world to him.

Christopher Hassell said that his son, Adrian, who was a concierge agent at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club and a former winner of the Bermuda Hotel Association scholarship that will now bear his name, would have been honoured by the accolade.

Mr Hassell added: “He would realise what an impact he made in people’s lives.

“Not just the family are hurt from this, but all the people that he impacted. He touched a lot of people.”

Joanna Hassell, Adrian’s mother, said: “I know that he would be so proud if he was standing here. Hopefully, he is looking down on us.”

The pair were speaking yesterday after the BHA announced the change for the annual scholarship, worth $25,000.

Adrian, 24, died after the boat he and two others were on hit rocks off the West End on January 1.

Mr Hassell said that it was a “great honour” to have the academic prize named after his son.

He added: “Adrian loved everything about Bermuda. He thought we had a great product and he was very enthusiastic.”

Mr Hassell said his son was an outgoing and active young man who enjoyed rugby, sports and working out in the gym. He also had a strong moral compass.

He added: “He was a good kid — the kind of son any father would want.

“He cared about others — he wanted to see good for Bermuda.”

Ms Hassell said that her son did not judge people but accepted them for who they were.

She added: “I never heard anything bad about him.

“I know that everybody loved him.”

The scholarship is awarded to a Bermudian student studying hospitality-related subjects abroad.

Stephen Todd, the chief executive of the BHA, said the name of the scholarship was changed to “recognise and acknowledge the indelible impact and tremendous impressions” that Adrian had made on the award’s selection committee when he won it in 2015.

Mr Todd added: “Adrian Hassell was a young man who was only just beginning what I am sure would have been an illustrious career in the hospitality industry when it was tragically cut short.

“We are pleased to be able to honour his memory in this way.”

Tim Morrison, the general manager of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, said Adrian had made an “immediate impact” in the short time he had worked there.

He added: “He was a fantastic ambassador for Bermuda and we are proud that his legacy will live on for young Bermudians entering the hospitality industry.”

Adrian earlier worked as an intern at the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

Glenn Jones, the chief experience officer at the BTA, said that Adrian, had been a “model intern” and passionate about the tourism industry.

He added: “We trusted Adrian with a tremendous amount of responsibility — and he always answered the call. He was really a joy to work with.”

Mr Jones said that the recipient of the memorial scholarship would also be offered an internship at the BTA.

He added: “We hope we are going to find other people like Adrian to join our team.”

Ms Hassell said that she hoped a young Bermudian could benefit from the scholarship and show the same passion for tourism that her son had.

Applications for this year’s scholarship should be submitted by May 31.

For more information, visit Bermudascholarships.com.

Police said in January that the 30-year-old pilot of the boat, who was also injured in the crash, had been arrested on suspicion of operating the vessel while impaired.

A spokesman for Bermuda Police Service said that the man was on police bail and scheduled to appear in Magistrates’ Court next month.