NORTH HAVEN – An autopsy will be performed today on the body of a North Haven lobsterman found Saturday afternoon in the waters of Pulpit Harbor.

Maine State Police spokesman Stephen McCausland said the body of Paul Beverage, 48, of North Haven was found at about 4 p.m. Saturday in shallow tidal water about 20 feet from shore.

McCausland said all indications pointed to a drowning accident, but the cause of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiner’s Office today.

Josh Lemoi, boat mate 2nd class with the U.S. Coast Guard’s Rockland station, said the station received a report at 4:05 p.m. that a woman, her identity unknown, found a dinghy in the harbor up against some rocks, then spotted the body of the fisherman.

McCausland said sometime between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Beverage took a dinghy out to check on his moored lobster boat and apparently fell into the sea.

The spokesman said Beverage was a part-time lobsterman and a caretaker on the island.

The Coast Guard conducted a search of the harbor using a 21-foot inflatable boat. “It was confirmed that he was by himself,” said Lemoi.

The Marine Patrol secured the area and took state police Detective Robert Burns to the scene to investigate.