Navy stops search for sailor lost at sea, alters his status to deceased

The U.S. Navy has stopped its search for a missing man who was assigned aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, and has altered the sailor's status to deceased.

More than 607 square nautical miles were covered during the search which lasted longer than 55 hours. The search was called off on Saturday according to the Navy, which noted that the incident is still under investigation.

“The loss of our Sailor is felt deeply by all on board,” Theodore Roosevelt commanding officer Capt. Eric Anduze said. “The entire Theodore Roosevelt team sends our deepest condolences to the family of our missing shipmate.”

The search commenced Thursday morning subsequent to the sighting of what looked like someone in the water,  according to a statement from the San Diego-based 3rd Fleet, the Associated Press reported. A sailor was not accounted for amid a command-wide muster, the statement said.

“The Carrier Strike Group Nine team sends our thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones of our missing shipmate," Carrier Strike Group Nine commander Rear Admiral Doug Verissimo said. "I offer my thanks to all the Sailors and Coast Guardsmen who were involved in the search.”

The family has divulged the identity of the missing man to be Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Ethan Goolsby, KSAT reported, according to the AP.