What started as a casual cruise on Boothbay waters turned into tragedy on Monday, August 20, for four passengers aboard the 21' Parker, "Fina-Lee."

According to Lieutenant John Cornish of Marine Patrol, at 11:45 a.m., the vessel owner and operator, William Merrill, Jr., and three passengers were crossing Inner Heron Island's south shore, near Buoy #2, coming from Christmas Cove in the Damariscotta River.

The cause of the accident has been determined to be due to hazardous water conditions. This area off of Inner Heron is exposed to open ocean and is known for large sea swells, shallow water and shoals.

These conditions caused the "Fina-Lee" to be caught sideways and capsize.

Merrill, and his uncle, David Houser, Sr., were trapped under the cabin, while the two other family members were free above the water.

Merrill and his uncle were in an air pocket. Merrill told his uncle he would be right back, freed himself, and went above to check on the other passengers.

When Merrill returned he observed Houser's head was immersed in the water and he was unresponsive. Merrill brought Houser up to the surface and began resuscitation.

Wayne Eugley, a South Bristol lobsterman, was on the scene and helped Merrill transfer Houser onto his lobster boat where resuscitation efforts continued.

During this time, a second South Bristol vessel, owned by Andrew House, arrived and brought the two remaining Houser family members aboard.

When the Marine Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard vessels arrived, the victims were transferred from the lobster boats.

Houser was brought aboard the Coast Guard vessel to the Ocean Point Marina. From there he was transported by ambulance to St. Andrews Hospital and Healthcare Center.

The family members aboard the House lobster boat were transferred to the Marine Patrol vessel and taken to St. Andrews where they were treated for scrapes, bruises and hypothermia.

Late on Monday afternoon, David Houser, Sr. was pronounced dead at St. Andrews.

"It was a tragic accident," said Cornish. "No charges are being filed."