Michael Moffat, 47, was pulled from the water by the Coastguard at Ardrossan Harbour at around 1.30pm Friday, January 9 after being spotted by a dog walker.

Post mortem investigators confirmed that Michael, who lived on his boat - The Tamarisk - and was employed as a part-time harbour master by Clyde Marina in Ardrossan, had drowned.

He left two daughters, two sons, three brothers and a sister behind.

And his brother Derek told the Chronicle last week: “The kids are absolutely distraught and our brother James, who is the youngest and was very close to Michael, is inconsolable.” It is believed that Michael, who was brought up in Dalmellington, had spotted one of the boats in the marina that had come loose.

Derek said: “He must have been to the toilet in the main building and when he’s came back he’s saw the boat.

“Unfortunately the sea took him but the one thing we can say is that he died doing what he loved. That’s a great comfort to me.

“The injuries to his face were really bad, it looked like he had been beaten.

“He didn’t have a mark on his body though.” He continued: “It wasn’t in Michael’s character to do anything stupid in the sea because he couldn’t swim.

“We’ve been told that his death was extremely quick. Knowing the water myself he has probably hit the water and the shock would have killed him.” “It was definitely accidental, there’s absolutely no evidence to suggest any foul play.” Derek claimed that the family were initially “kept out the loop” by police - something he described as “agonising”.

He added: “We refused to believe that he’d fallen in by himself at first but after the post mortem it’s been explained to us and we’re now just trying to come to terms with it.

“We’re all absolutely gutted. It’s going to be hard to move on.” The family have confirmed that Michael’s funeral will be held in Dailly this week.

Michael Moffat, 47, was pulled from the water by the Coastguard at Ardrossan Harbour at around 1.30pm Friday, January 9 after being spotted by a dog walker.

Post mortem investigators confirmed that Michael, who lived on his boat - The Tamarisk - and was employed as a part-time harbour master by Clyde Marina in Ardrossan, had drowned.

He left two daughters, two sons, three brothers and a sister behind.

And his brother Derek told the Chronicle last week: “The kids are absolutely distraught and our brother James, who is the youngest and was very close to Michael, is inconsolable.” It is believed that Michael, who was brought up in Dalmellington, had spotted one of the boats in the marina that had come loose.

Derek said: “He must have been to the toilet in the main building and when he’s came back he’s saw the boat.

“Unfortunately the sea took him but the one thing we can say is that he died doing what he loved. That’s a great comfort to me.

“The injuries to his face were really bad, it looked like he had been beaten.

“He didn’t have a mark on his body though.” He continued: “It wasn’t in Michael’s character to do anything stupid in the sea because he couldn’t swim.

“We’ve been told that his death was extremely quick. Knowing the water myself he has probably hit the water and the shock would have killed him.” “It was definitely accidental, there’s absolutely no evidence to suggest any foul play.” Derek claimed that the family were initially “kept out the loop” by police - something he described as “agonising”.

He added: “We refused to believe that he’d fallen in by himself at first but after the post mortem it’s been explained to us and we’re now just trying to come to terms with it.

“We’re all absolutely gutted. It’s going to be hard to move on.” The family have confirmed that Michael’s funeral will be held in Dailly this week.