Overview of the Disappearance

On October 6, 2006, 57‑year‑old Robert W. Gilsey—known to live aboard his sailboat at Diamond Cove Marina on Great Diamond Island in Casco Bay—departed Portland Harbor around 5:30 p.m., reportedly heading home. The following morning, his 23‑foot motorboat, Ripple, was discovered adrift off Cape Elizabeth. The engine was running, the throttle was wide open, and the fuel tank was empty—but Gilsey was nowhere to be found.

Personal Background and Vessel Details

Gilsey was described as a white male, approximately 6′ 0″–6′ 1″ tall, weighing around 185–190 lb, with gray or partially gray hair and blue eyes, aged 57 at his disappearance. His vessel, Ripple, was a 23‑foot motorized boat—not his usual sailboat—which he used to commute between the marina and his docked sailboat....Read More