Man overboard from ferry was actually a log

A search and rescue mission in Seattle's Elliott Bay this morning on a report of a man overboard from a state ferry was called off after authorities found all passengers were safely accounted for on the vessel.

Now, authorities think the apparent body reported seen bobbing in the bay was actually just debris.

"What was seen in the water appeared to be log with a balloon attached to it," said Petty Officer Colin White, spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard in Seattle.

Shortly after 8:30 a.m., ferry passengers on the M.V. Wenatchee reported seeing a man in the water, White said. Ferry personnel for the 7:55 a.m. run between Bainbridge Island to Seattle initially believed a passenger had fallen off the vessel.

The ferry's alarms sounded, and a rescue operation ensued. Soon, Coast Guard search and rescue teams were called to the scene, White said.

While Coast Guard boats searched Puget Sound, ferry personnel conducted a head count of passengers, finally determining all was well.

"Everybody was accounted for," White said.

The search team later found the log and balloon floating in the water near where the fallen passenger report was made, White said.