SEATTLE — Coast Guard Sector Seattle today has concluded its search for a possible missing person after the owner of a bicycle left behind on the Washington State Ferry (WSF) Wenatchee came forward to claim it.
The bicycle was found at the conclusion of the 5:30 pm run from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, Wash. Wednesday, March 4th raising the possibility that its rider may have gone overboard. This triggered an accountability sweep by WSF employees and Washington State Patrol Officers on board the ferry. The Coast Guard mounted an exhaustive search of Elliot Bay Wednesday night with boats and a helicopter. The owner of the bicycle came forward after reading about the incident and the description of the bicycle in the paper. The owner claimed to have forgotten that the bicycle was left on the car deck of the Wenatchee when she departed.
Coast Guard and Washington State Ferry reminds ferry riders to keep track of personal items and not to leave behind hand bags, back packs, packages, bicycles and even automobiles. Items left on the ferry will cause search and rescue resources to be expended and, with a heightened security posture, may cause scheduling delays to check for suspicious devices.
