CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – State Fish and Game officials said Thursday they are calling off the search to find the body of a Hooksett man presumed drowned after he fell into Lake Winnipesaukee on Saturday.

The search operation was launched after James Sylvestre, 45, fell overboard from the MS Mt. Washington ship during a nighttime Halloween cruise. Divers and a special sonar unit were brought to search along a section of the cruise ship’s route, between Welch and Rattlesnake islands.

“We had to suspend the search because of the large size of the potential search area and the fact that nothing of significance had been found after several days,” said Fish and Game Department Lt. James Goss. “We know how difficult these situations are for the families, and regret we could not bring the search to a successful conclusion.”

With water temperatures in the 50s, searchers said anyone in the lake would be overcome by hypothermia in a matter of minutes.

The Marine Patrol is continuing to investigate the incident.

AP-ES-11-02-06 1300EST