Deceased borrowed a kayak from a neighbor and decided to go out only wearing red swim shirts and no pfd nor did he take one.  He could swim but not a strong swimmer.  His friends urged him to take a pfd but he refused.  He said he was only going out for a little while.  A significant thunderstorms moved through the area.  About an 1 1/2 later his friend called the pd and reported him missing.  A search process began.  The kayak was found secured under the elastic cargo webbing at the bow of the kayak when it was found washed ashore.  A male body was found by a fisherman wearing red shorts on 10/1/12 and it was identified as the deceased.  Although no conclusive determination can be made to exactly what actions were taken by the deceased the investigator determined through the evidence that and interviews conducted that the deceased most likely landed on a rock outcropping and exited the kayak to explore and look around.  In doing so he took the kayak paddle and secured it under the kayak.  The tide at this time was a flood tide with high tide at 5:40pm.  Severe thunderstorms were on approach to the area and would it causing large waves, extremely strong winds and driving rain.  It is undetermined that he was on the rocks and got swept off by waves, lost his footing and slipped into the strong currents in the area or decided to attempt to swim to shore.  It also can not be concluded that the kayak floated off prior for following the deceased entering the water.  The kayak was located in tact with no indication of an external force or contact applied and with the paddle secured in a manner consistent with exiting by the paddler and drawing up by land.  Unfortunate preventable accident if he had worn a pfd and checked the tide and weather forecast prior to setting out on coastal waters.
Swampscott                    