I know that, but what I didn't know is that, once you start drowning, you keep drowning. I had enough stamina to make it just about to the boat, and I had enough health to make it the rest of the way. I do that all the time crossing rivers, but there you just step on ground and start recovering.

I assumed that I would stop drowning if I stopped at the ladder so that I could reach for it and get on the boat, but, of course, that was not the case.

Have I said that I hate the swimming mechanic in Valheim? IMO it's the worst implemented part of the game.

Superhero on land, but can't swim across a bathtub!