Report of person missing from Bainbridge ferry was false alarm

Published 9:06 am Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The U.S. Coast Guard determined that a report of a person floating in the water near a Bainbridge ferry Wednesday morning was a false alarm.

A passenger onboard a 7:55 a.m. sailing from Bainbridge to Seattle had reported a person in the water in Elliot Bay.

A Coast Guard helicopter and several boats searched the area. It was determined that the passenger had likely been confused by “brightly colored” floating debris, WSF Communications Director Marta Coursey said.

Coursey said the ferry was delayed during the search but has resumed service.