Police have named the man who died at Sutton Harbour in Plymouth.
James Webb, 21, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, was a student at Plymouth University.
Emergency services attended The Barbican at around 6.15am on Sunday 18 January following a report of a body floating in the water.
A police officer entered the water to rescue James before he was treated by paramedics at the scene. He was taken by ambulance to Derriford Hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead.
James’ family have been informed.
Officers are investigating the circumstances of how he came to be in the water and are treating the death as unexplained but not suspicious.
Detective Inspector Ian Reid said: “This is a tragic incident and we would like to offer our condolences to the family.
“We are trying to establish the circumstances surrounding James’ death.
“He was last seen in North Hill by the Bang Bang nightclub at around 3am but we do not know where he went after that. He was wearing a red and black checked shirt.
“We would like to speak to anyone who saw James as he walked around Plymouth in the early hours of Sunday morning.”
Dr Maureen Powers, Dean of Students at Plymouth University, said: “We were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of one of our students early yesterday morning. Our thoughts first and foremost are with his family, friends, and those closest to him.
“James was a promising student who was close to graduating from his MEng Civil Engineering course just next year, and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
“We are doing everything possible to support those affected at this difficult and incredibly sad time.”
Anyone who saw James or has any information that could help piece together his final movements is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 168 of 18 January.