A SOUTHAMPTON man who had been gifted a new boat by a friend for his help over the years fell off and drowned on his first night on it, an inquest heard.

Patrick O’Gara fell off the side while going to the toilet, the hearing was told.

The 58-year-old had moored his boat, Sunlight Two, at Eling Sailing Club on April 23 before going for a drink with friends to celebrate St George’s Day.

Friends told Winchester Coroner’s Court that he was in an upbeat mood after leaving the club’s bar in Totton at 10.30pm, but needed help to walk.

He was then taken to his boat to sleep on it for the first time.

However, the next morning, mooring master Robert Helm said that he saw a body floating in the water and immediately phoned the police.

“As soon as I saw it was a body, I knew it was Pat,” Mr Helm said in a statement.

“I just knew it was him because of his ginger hair. I had known Pat for 10 years.”

Pathologist Dr Adrian Bateman told the court that Mr O’Gara, of Culver Close, Millbrook, had a blood alcohol level of 260mg per 100ml – more than three times the drink-drive limit of 80mg.

He added this would have made the experienced sailor, who also owned a rare wooden yacht, unstable in his movement.

Speaking of the water temperature, the pathologist said: “At that time of year (April) the water may have been very cold.

“It is possible hypothermia was a contributing factor, but it is very hard to prove.”

It was also heard that the semi-retired Southampton man was held in high regards at the club.

His wife, Jane O’Gara, said: “He lived life to the full.

“He was held in very high regard by the club.

“Ten days before his death Pat was gifted a yacht, Sunlight Two, by a member that could not look after it anymore.

“He was telling me about all the plans he had.

“[On April 23] he phoned me to tell me his was going to work on it the next day.”

Mrs O’Gara added: “He was so excited.”

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a conclusion of accidental death.