Body of Missing Maine Boater Recovered From Rockland Lake

A tragic search on Chickawaukie Lake in Rockland ended late Sunday night after the body of a missing Maine man was recovered from the water.

According to the Maine Warden Service, divers found the body of 59-year-old Timothy Payson of Rockland in about 15 feet of water. Payson had reportedly gone out for a boat ride Sunday morning before he went missing.

The incident began around 8 a.m. when a nearby resident heard someone yelling for help from the lake. The man ran down the bank toward the water while his wife called 911, WGME reported.

When he reached the shoreline, officials say he saw a small boat circling in the water with a dog on board, but no person was visible in the boat or in the lake.

The news station went on to say that Sgt. Josh Beal with the Maine Warden Service said the homeowner had been outside working on his house when he heard the calls for help. When he got to the water, he saw the boat going in circles with no one in it.

Emergency crews were able to get onto the moving boat and shut it off, but they were unable to locate the operator.

The Maine Warden Service dive team began searching the lake around 1 p.m. Sunday. After dark, crews continued the search using sonar-equipped watercraft.

Payson’s body was eventually recovered late Sunday night.

The incident remains under investigation.