ROCKLAND/ROCKPORT — As of 6 p.m., June 14, the Maine Warden Service continues to search for a Rockland man who went missing at Chickawaukie Lake in Rockland earlier in the day.

According to the Warden Service (Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife), in a 6 p.m. news release, a Rockland resident was outside working on his house at approximately 8 a.m. this morning, when he heard a man yelling for help from the water. He ran down over the bank to help him while his wife called 911. When he got to the water, a small Zodiak style boat was in the water doing circles with a dog in it. 

"A man was never actually seen in the boat or in the water," said the Warden Service. 

Rockland and Rockport Fire Departments arrived and managed to board the moving boat and turn it off, but could not find the operator of the boat.

The Maine Warden Service is actively searching the lake Timothy Payson, 59, of Rockland, who was confirmed to be the operator of the boat, and is missing, according to the news release. The Maine Warden Service is using divers and sonar to search for Payson. Currently, the Warden Service plans to search into the night utilizing sonar equipped watercraft. 

The parking lot and park at Chickawaukie Pond closed to the public soon after the 911 call, Sunday, June 14, 2026.

Chickawauikie abuts both Rockport and Rockland. However, access is from the boat launch in Rockland on Route 17, just shy of the town line. At 8:12 a.m., Rockland EMS and firefighters representing both Rockland and Rockport were summoned there.

From the dock, Rockland PD and a Knox County Sheriff's Office deputy assisted with the Warden Service with the investigation.