A retired jeweller drowned while cruising the coast of Spain on his prized yacht - but exactly what happened remains a mystery.

An inquest heard Alan Cooley, 68, of Connaught Avenue, Frinton, was on a dream trip sailing around the Mediterranean this summer.

On July 1 his body was found in the water at Calvia in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, just off the beach.

Coroner's officer for the Tendring division, PC Nick Waltham, said Mr Cooley was recovered from the sea and his death confirmed by a doctor.

"Mr Cooley's ketch was found anchored nearby and the inflatable from his boat was also found nearby," he said.

"From the inquiries of police in Spain, it would appear there were no suspicious circumstances his death."

The inquest at Weeley heard that on July 4 a Spanish doctor carried out an examination of Mr Cooley's body at the Forensic Institute at Palma.

"He found little sign of natural disease and concluded that the cause of death was asphyxia from submersion," added PC Waltham.

Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded an open verdict on Mr Cooley's death.

Mr Cooley was a clock and watch repairer from 1948, and opened his shop in Connaught Avenue, Frinton, in 1986.

He closed it five years ago, but continued to live over the shop.

Mr Cooley was a former chairman of Frinton Chamber of Commerce, a position he held in the mid-1980s.

A keen sailor and well-known member of Walton and Frinton Yacht Club, Mr Cooley fulfiled a dream when he sailed his 48ft ketch, Winifred, to the Mediterranean.

By Nigel Brown

Reporter's e-mail: nigel_brown@thisisessex.co.uk

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