Former RNLI crewman might have lived if he swam earlier

A former lifeboat crew member who drowned off the Waterford coast in January might have survived if he had tried swimming earlier to shore or worn a lifejacket fitted with a collar.

A report by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board into the death of John Flynn, 43, from Dunmore East, also stressed the importance of having someone ashore to contact the emergency services soon after a deadline has passed.

Mr Flynn, a former RNLI volunteer who had training in sea survival, drowned on his return from an early morning fishing trip with his friend, James Tate, after their 5m fibreglass punt was capsized by waves off Brownstown Head in Tramore Bay on Jan 10.