Image shows fisherman minutes before drowning

A 52-year-old man who drowned in the sea in Co Clare last year “died needlessly” and had no safety or communications equipment with him.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) yesterday issued its final report into the Nov 2011 tragedy which claimed the life of Latvian national Armands Silins who had lived in Kilrush.

He took to sea near Kilkee in a three-metre Seahawk 11 inflatable dinghy without an engine, personal flotation device, emergency flares or any form of communications.

The Irish Coast Guard noted in the MCIB report: “If he had taken appropriate safety equipment he would, in all likelihood, have survived.” The dinghy capsized in heavy waters in an enclosed bay.

Mr Silins held onto the overturned dinghy for some time but was eventually separated. He was subsequently recovered by Kilkee Marine Rescue Service and airlifted to hospital in Limerick where he was pronounced dead.

The 27-page document contains photographs of Mr Silins fishing from his dinghy moments before he was washed overboard. The pictures were taken by local man William Ryan who raised the alarm.

The MCIB said: “He was ill-equipped for the intended trip.”

The report makes recommendations to boat users regarding pre-planning, safety equipment and how to right a capsized dinghy.

Meanwhile, Mr Ryan said yesterday: “This was an awful tragedy but people are still going out in small dinghies without safety equipment.

“I hope, now that the report has been published, that people will pay heed and not take chances going out in places like Kilkee and that all the safety recommendations are implemented.”