Search suspended for Alaska fisherman who fell overboard without a life jacket

The search for a fisherman who fell overboard in Ugashik Bay, a body of water 190 miles west of Kodiak, was suspended Friday following unsuccessful efforts to locate the man.

The victim, identified by Alaska State Troopers as Grant Hildreth Jr., fell overboard Thursday afternoon. The report initially came in from the fishing vessel Cape Greg.

Crew on the ship "attempted to get a flotation device to Hildreth; but Hildreth went under the water and has not been seen since," AST wrote in a report. "Hildreth was reported to not be wearing a personal flotation device at the time of the incident."

Following the unsuccessful search and its suspension, the USCG issued a news release. While officially the Coast Guard is not saying the man is presumed to be deceased, a lieutenant issued a statement of condolences to Hildreth's family.

"Our deepest condolences go out to his family during this time of grieving," said Lt. Stephen Nolan with the United States Coast Guard. "Even though we were unable to find the man, we are thankful that so many good Samaritans were willing to assist for the duration of the search."

Watchstanders in Kodiak initiated a search response for him, including an Air Station Kodiak Jayhawk helicopter.

An additional aircraft crew and nine good Samaritan boats searched 13 square miles along the shoreline of Ugashik Bay, but were unable to find Hildreth.