A Revere man died Saturday after falling overboard during a sailboat race in ­waters off Marblehead.

Joseph Sampson, 64, was helping to sail a 22-foot boat during the race. The vessel was coming out of a turn when Sampson lost his balance and fell into the water about 2:20 p.m., said Patrick Mulligan, a Salem assistant harbormaster.

Mulligan said Sampson went overboard not far from the mouth of Marblehead ­Harbor. He apparently went into cardiac arrest after hitting the 59-degree water, Mulligan said. Sampson was taken to Salem Hospital, where he later died.

Mulligan said Sampson was wearing a life jacket when he fell into the water. He was one of three crew members aboard the sailboat in a race of about 15 vessels, Mulligan said. He had signed up as a volunteer for short-handed crews for the event.

The Marblehead Racing ­Association, which organized the competition, offered its sympathies to Sampson’s family on its website. “The Marblehead Racing Association is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our racers.”

When Sampson fell, a ­patrol boat responded, Byrne said. Byrne said Sampson was not responsive during the trip to shore. No further information was available Tuesday.