ROCKPORT — Thursday morning did not turn out well for one local man, who wanted just to go fishing but ended up in the drink, and had to be hauled to shore by a Rockport firefighter.

The man apparently stopped at Maces Pond with his canoe and brand-new fishing gear. He had his life jacket on, and paddled out toward the middle of the small body of water that lies adjacent to Route 17. 

Somehow, his canoe tipped, and the man, who admitted to his rescuers that he was not a good swimmer, fell into the water. The depth of the 32-acre pond there is fairly shallow at approximately 10 feet, but deep enough for a grown man to founder.

A passing motorist saw the commotion and called 911 at 9:24 a.m. Another Good Samaritan jumped into the water, swam out to the man, and kept him calm until the fire department arrived.

Rockport Firefighter Levi Rollins then swam out to the man with a rescue line and helped to haul him, and his canoe, to shore, where he was assessed and considered uninjured.

Rockport Fire Chief Jason Peasley commended the man for wearing his life jacket, and for floating on his back to wait for assistance.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657