UPDATE: Air, sea search off Alki after life ring spotted off Bainbridge-bound state ferry

10:05 PM: Thanks to the texter who asked about a stopped ferry off Alki. According to a tweet from the Bainbridge Island Fire Department, there was a report of a possible person overboard from the Bainbridge-bound M/V Puyallup. We note via MarineTraffic.com that Seattle fireboat Leschi is in the area too, and the Bremerton ferry M/V Kaleetan is stopped. The BIFD said the U.S. Coast Guard also would be responding.

10:11 PM UPDATE: Washington State Ferries has now acknowledged the “search and rescue operation” via its “bulletins” page.

10:29 PM UPDATE: Per BIFD, the Coast Guard is sending a helicopter to help.

10:42 PM UPDATE: Our partners at The Seattle Times quote the USCG as saying this started when a life ring with a strobe light was spotted in the water, and that a head count was being done aboard M/V Puyallup to try to determine if anyone is missing. It’s now headed back to Colman Dock.

11:31 PM UPDATE: The Coast Guard has tweeted that it’s still searching. Puyallup remains docked in Seattle, while Kaleetan headed back to Bremerton. (Added: Three minutes after this update, Puyallup left for Bainbridge.)

6 Replies to "UPDATE: Air, sea search off Alki after life ring spotted off Bainbridge-bound state ferry"

  • alki resident April 26, 2015 (11:59 pm)

    Is it normal for a strobe light to be on a life ring?

  • alki resident April 27, 2015 (12:29 am)

    How cool thanks. I hope they find the person. What a horrible situation for all involved.

  • Ferry passenger April 27, 2015 (2:11 am)

    I was on the boat and seemed like someone threw the ring overboard… As we drove off the boat the WSP stopped us to search the car with a flash light… No clue what happened

  • ScubaFrog April 27, 2015 (7:19 am)

    Did they determine if someone is missing? I hope everyone’s ok.

  • ferry engr April 27, 2015 (7:41 pm)

    Alki resident- only a few of the life rings on our vessels have a strobe that is activated when it is thrown in the water. They are mandated to be aboard by USCG.

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