Body found in Rich Passage is not missing Bainbridge kayaker

A body was discovered in Rich Passage near Waterman Point on Saturday evening, but officials said it was not the missing kayaker reported off Bainbridge Island recently.

A call reporting what appeared to be a floating body came from aboard the Washington State Ferry around 4:50 p.m. Jan. 26, Port Orchard Police Chief Geoffrey Marti said.

The ferry from Seattle to Bremerton was delayed as first responders conducted a search of the area. Some of the ferry’s passengers went to outdoor decks on the vessel to observe the activity.

South Kitsap Fire and Rescue and Port Orchard Police officers responded to the scene.

It took approximately 58 minutes to locate the body, Marti said.

“With lights, they were able to find him at the last minute, before it was way too dark,” he said.

The man’s name has not been released. Police said they believed he had been living at Yachtfish’s nearby marina.