PORTLAND, Maine — Portland police are investigating a death after a body was recovered from Casco Bay on Saturday.
A man’s body was spotted floating in the bay by a woman who was on a Casco Bay Lines ferry traveling from Peaks Island to Portland, according to a report from the Portland Press Herald.
The captain, who was made aware of the situation, notified police and then kept the ferry near the body until officials arrived about 25 minutes later, the report stated. Passengers aboard the ferry were then apparently instructed to stay in the boat’s cabin.
Portland police Lt. Robert Doherty reportedly told the newspaper that the identity and cause of death were not known, and the body was brought to a funeral home after it was recovered.
Doherty also reportedly said it’s not uncommon to find human remains in the ocean, especially with the dangerous conditions this time of year, according to the newspaper.
Portland police confirmed with NEWS CENTER Maine that the death was being investigated.
"We are waiting to hear the cause of death from the medical examiner, which can take several weeks with toxicology reports," Portland police spokesperson Brad Nadeau told NEWS CENTER Maine.
Nadeau said police do not believe the death to be suspicious at this time.