A call went in to the Coast Guard Juneau Watchstanders from the Skagway Police on Tuesday reporting that the vessel's captain, Theodore Lynch had fallen overboard from the 45-foot fishing vessel Darlin' Michelle.

The vessel was engaged in fishing shrimp in 180-feet of water about one mile east of Skagway when Lynch went overboard. According to the missing man’s brother-in-law, a life ring was deployed to the man overboard, but after several attempts to haul him back aboard, Lynch’s life jacket broke and came off. He was unable to latch on to the life ring.

An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was immediately issued requesting assistance for the missing mariner. An Air Station Sacramento, California HC-130 Hercules aircraft was diverted to assist in the search.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was launched from Air Station Sitka, and Skagway Emergency Response personnel, as well as state troopers and three good samaritan vessels searched for the missing man as well. A Temsco helicopter also joined in the search near Skagway.

The Coast Guard searched a 20-square-mile area with its assets in an effort to locate the missing 62-year-old man.

After searching with no success, the search was called off pending new information.

“It is always a very hard decision to make when you have to suspend a search for a man overboard,” said Nick Meyers, a Sector Juneau command center watchstander. “Our hearts go out to the family, friends and the crew of the fishing vessel.”

Weather in the search area was reported as 35 mph and two-foot seas.