Unalaska, AK – Foul play has been ruled out in the death of a fisheries observer whose body was found near the Westward Seafoods dock in Captains Bay on Thursday morning.

After examining the body, reviewing Westward security camera footage and interviewing witnesses, public safety officers believe that 25-year-old Jay Alderman of Teague, Texas fell while trying to get back onboard the fishing vessel Westward I around 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Sgt. Matt Betzen of the Department of Public Safety said that Alderman had been out drinking with friends earlier Tuesday night, and returned to the boat alone after midnight.

"The weather was bad, as is often the case in Dutch Harbor," Betzen said. "His boat was actually tied on the outside of another boat that was against the dock--he evidently tried to get on his boat, and didn't make it."

Alderman's body was recovered by divers near where the Westward I was docked the night he went missing.