BOSTON (AP) – The body of a 63-year-old Florida man was recovered Saturday after his 25-foot sailboat was spotted partially submerged near Port Clyde, Maine, according to Coast Guard officials.

The dead man was identified as Robert Curtis Conklin of Jacksonville, Fla. The Coast Guard said the cause of the incident is under investigation.

Officials said the Coast Guard station in Rockland, Maine, received a report shortly before 6 a.m. Saturday from the fishing vessel Bug Catcher that a sailing vessel called the Bucephalus was aground on Marshall Point.

The Cutter Moray, which is based in Jonesport, Maine, was dispatched, along with two 47-foot motor life boats. In addition, an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was called in from Cape Cod. An urgent marine information broadcast also went out.

Officials said the Moray found debris in the water off Marshall Point shortly after 7 a.m. and that a Rockland fisherman towed the grounded sailing vessel to Port Clyde.

The dead man was located by crew members aboard one of the motor life boats at 7:50 a.m., officials said. The body was recovered by the Maine marine patrol.

Officials said the description of the Bucephalus and its owner, who was seen sailing Friday afternoon, was confirmed from a fishing vessel responding to the Coast Guard broadcast.

Saying next of kin notification had been made, the Coast Guard issued a statement outlining the circumstances of the search late Saturday night.

The Coast Guard said seas were reported to be four to six feet offshore, with winds at 10 to 15 knots and the water temperature at 50 degrees.

Port Clyde is situated in midcoast Maine, a region that includes picturesque villages, working harbors and stunning coastal views.


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