ROCKLAND — Rockland firefighters early Saturday morning responded to a call from police about a man in the water in Rockland Harbor.

The man was reportedly in the water off Archer's on the Pier restaurant, located at 58 Ocean St.

Rockland Sgt. Tony Camporiale said that officers Joel Neal and Scott Solorzano responded to a call reporting that someone had been heard yelling for help in the vicinity of the harbor off Ocean Street.

"The officers went to the location and also heard him yelling for help from the water," said Camporiale. "He was hanging onto a pilon out there."

Camporiale identified the man as 30-year-old Ryan Counce of Rockland.

The call came in to Rockland Fire Department around 5:30 a.m. Fire Lt. Jamie Leo said they responded to the waterfront, called Thomaston Fire for their rescue boat and donned cold water rescue suits to initiate the rescue. The U.S. Coast Guard, stationed along the harbor, was also called to assist.

"We located a skiff nearby and rowed out to get the guy," said Leo. "He had managed to pull himself out of the water and was at the end of the pier when we got to him. He was obviously pretty cold as he had been in the water."

Due to the availability of the skiff they commandeered, Rockland firefighters were able to rescue the man before Thomaston or the Coast Guard got to the scene with their boats.

Leo said the man was conscious when he was taken to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport for treatment by Rockland Fire/EMS.

Camporiale said Saturday night it was not known how or why Counce ended up in the water.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached by email at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or by calling 207-706-6655.