Paul Guillaumier, 71, a former joint-managing director of Guillaumier Industries, died suddenly while swimming at Golden Bay yesterday afternoon.
The police said that Mr Guillaumier, who was from Tal-Virtù, Rabat, was swimming at the popular bay at around 5 p.m. when he fell ill and then lost consciousness.
A person who had been accompanying him, as well as other bathers, went to his aid until an ambulance arrived. But he died on his way to hospital, the police said.
Magistrate Silvio Meli opened an inquiry and a post-mortem examination will be held at the hospital today.
Mr Guillaumier was a keen researcher and his favourite subject was the shipwreck and visit of St Paul in Malta.