POLICE divers resumed underwater searches today for a man who went overboard from a pleasure boat in the Lake District.

Holidaymakers watched as the man went over the side of the Lady of the Lake steamer at Sharrow Bay, on Ullswater, but quickly lost sight of him.

A massive search of the water and shoreside, coordinated by the coastguard, involving RNLI crews and a helicopter proved unsuccessful last night.

Cumbria police has now taken charge of the incident and a team of divers has returned to the scene, a spokeswoman said.

She added that there are no suspicious circumstances and efforts are also under way to establish the identity of the victim.

The man was described as 6ft tall and wearing a grey top and dark brown trousers. He was not wearing a lifejacket.

The Lady of the Lake was initially held at the spot but later allowed to return to dock where the 53 passengers were questioned.

The vessel is operated by Ullswater Steamers.

In a statement today the company said: "During an early morning sailing from Pooley Bridge to Howtown yesterday, a male passenger jumped from the vessel into the water near the Sharrow Bay Hotel.

"The skipper and crew immediately activated its man overboard drill and set off the well established and rehearsed emergency incident procedure.

"The vessel was quickly brought alongside the man, but the crews efforts to rescue him were unsuccessful.

The crew used every facility available to rescue the man, but tragically he disappeared from view."

The company said it suspended operations for the rest of the day and dispatched two other steamers to assist with the search operation.

Chief executive Jim Walker added: "This was an extremely sad day for the Steamer staff.

"Despite the crews wholly professional and focussed approach this gentleman could not be rescued and we are all extremely upset by this incident.

"I am immensely proud of the actions of the staff and they have gained the praise of the professional rescue agencies.

"However, on this occasion, there has not been a successful outcome and this is a great blow to all of us.

"The directors and staff of the steamer company have the friends and family of this man very much in their thoughts at this time."

Emergency rescue plans for the Cumbrian Lakes are devised by the passenger boat operators and the emergency services.

Ullswater Steamer resumed a full service today.