SEATTLE -- A Washington State ferry came to a stop in the middle of Elliot Bay after a report of a passenger falling overboard, but officials said the report was false.

The ferry Wenatchee was sailing from Bainbridge Island to Seattle on the 7:55 a.m. run when alarms began to sound.

KOMO Newsradio reporter Kristin Hanes was on the ferry and said an announcement was made that the crew had received a report of a man overboard and that the situation was not a drill.

The boat came to a stop and began making tight turns while crew members looked for the person. The coast guard dispatched a helicopter and patrol boat, and rescue crews were also sent by the Seattle Fire Department.

Washington State Ferries spokeswoman Marta Coursey said the report turned out to be false, but was from a passenger who thought they saw a person in the water.

It turned out to be a log with colored flags attached to it, Coursey said.

The boat resumed its trip to Seattle about 8:45 a.m.

Updates to follow