PORTLAND — The death of an unidentified white man, whose body was pulled out of the water off Commercial Street tonight, is being investigated by Portland police.

Capt. Ted Ross said the man’s death does not appear to be suspicious.

City firefighters used a chainsaw to remove planks from a floating dock behind the Dry Dock Restaurant and Tavern on Commercial Street. The body was pinned underneath the floating dock, which is owned by Three Sons Lobster and Fish.

Ross said an employee of Three Sons Lobster and Fish earlier in the day told his supervisor that he thought he saw a body floating under the dock. But it wasn’t until tonight – around 6:30 p.m. – that authorities were notified.

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews arrived on the waterfront during the middle of the dinner hour. A large crowd of onlookers who had been eating dinner at the Dry Dock Restaurant, Gilbert’s Chower House and the Porthole Restaurant gathered on a nearby wharf to watch as emergency crews pried the body loose from the floating dock.

The city fireboat, Joseph Cavallaro Jr., removed the body, which was scheduled to be taken to the state Medical Examiner’s Office.

Several men, who identified themselves as transients, came to the area to see if the man was someone they knew, but Ross said the identity of the drowning victim may not be known for some time.

The area is under 24-hour video surveillance according to signs posted on the property.

 

 

 

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