UPDATE: The Maine Marine Patrol Friday night said that the lobsterman found unresponsive on the deck of his boat discovered circling in Penobscot Bay off Owls Head Lighthouse died of natural causes while his boat was underway.

Robert Staples, 78, of North Haven, was aboard the Legacy, a 40-foot lobster boat that was discovered circling in rough waters off of Rockland Harbor around 2:50 p.m. Friday. Marine Patrol reported being called about the boat around 3:15 p.m.

Marine Patrol Sgt. Matt Talbot and Specialist Corrie Roberts responded from Rockland in the Protector, and found Staples’ vessel traveling in circles in 3- to 4-foot seas and 20-knot winds. They were met on scene by member of the U.S. Coast Guard, who had confirmed that an unconscious individual was on board.

“Battling difficult conditions, Sgt. Talbot maneuvered alongside the circling fishing vessel and, after several attempts Specialist Roberts was able to jump on board the Legacy and gain control of the vessel,” said the Marine Patrol, in a press release. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard then boarded and attempted to resuscitate Staples while Roberts took the vessel to Rockland Harbor.”

They were met by members of Rockland EMS, who also attempted to resuscitate Staples, without success.

According to the release, the state Medical Examiner has ruled that Staples died of natural causes.

UPDATE: Maine Patrol specialist Corrie Roberts jumped aboard the Legacy, a 40-foot lobster boat that was spinning in rough waters off of Rockland Harbor today, in a valiant attempt to save Robert Staples, 78, of North Haven. He was alone in his vessel, on his way home to North Haven when tragedy struck.

The Legacy was reported circling near Shag Rock close to 3 p.m., spotted by crew aboard the ferry Everett Libby. 

The U.S. Coast Guard and Marine Patrol responded with rescue craft and a helicopter. 

Roberts was able to leap aboard the Legacy after the Marine Patrol vessel shouldered up to her. Because the seas were so rough on the bay, no other crew was able to get on the Legacy. 

Roberts drove the Legacy hard toward the Rockland Breakwater, and once inside, two Coast Guard personnel jumped onto the Legacy, and attempted CPR on Robert Staples until they reached the dock.

There, Rockland EMTs tried again to bring life back to him, to no avail.

Robert Staples was pronounced dead at the waterfront. The cause of death remains undetermined, according to Matt Talbot, of the Marine Patrol.

At 3:45 p.m., the lobster boat was reportedly under command. Rescue crew members jumped onto the boat, the Legacy, drove and into Rockland Harbor with the unresponsive man aboard. When he arrived at the pier, the medical examiner there pronounced him deceased, according to the Coast Guard. 

The fishing vessel was the 40-foot Legacy, whose homeport is North Haven.

OWLS HEAD — The U.S. Coast Guard, Maine Marine Patrol, Owls Head Fire Department, Rockland EMS and Knox County Sheriff’s Office are all on scene just outside Rockland Harbor, where a lobster boat has been moving around in circles at a high rate of speed with nobody at the wheel. On the boat, there appears to be one person in distress, according to Coast Guard Station Northern New England.

The Coast Guard has responded with a crew of five aboard a 47-foot motor life boat, and is monitoring the scene from a helicopter, as well. Rockland Fire is also preparing to launch its boat into the harbor with rescue crews, should the boat be stopped, run out of gas or come ashore.

The 35-foot lobster boat is just off of Shag Rock, which is on the Rockland side of the point at the Owls Head Lighthouse, the Coast Guard said.

Emergency crews have reported that there is what appears to be an unresponsive, unconscious male lying on the deck, aboard the vessel.

Crews aboard the Maine ferry Everett Libby reported the emergency to the Coast Guard at approximately 2:45 p.m.

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