SEATTLE — The Coast Guard has suspended the search at 1 p.m., Saturday, for Jerry Wayne Middleton, who was last seen aboard a 14-foot skiff in Shilshole Bay.
Coast Guard crews from Station Seattle, Air Station Port Angeles, the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Lion, as well as members of the Bainbridge Island and Seattle police departments, searched the area around Middleton's last known location for over 20 hours with negative results.
Additionally, Shishole Bay Marina staff reviewed their camera footage and Bainbridge Island Police Department personnel searched the shoreline.
Search efforts began when a good Samaritan reported Middleton's 14-foot skiff unmanned and adrift in the bay Friday. A second good Samaritan reported seeing him aboard his skiff 30 minute prior to the unmanned report and a third good Samaritan came across debris in the water.
The decision to suspend a search and rescue case is taken with great care and deliberation. After a probable search area is saturated and the person is not located, the decision is made to suspend an active search.
The Coast Guard can resume the search if credible information is received regarding the missing person’s whereabouts. Anyone with information is requested to contact Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound at (206) 217-6001.
Initial release can be found here: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2896598/Follow up release can be found here: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2896642/