Washington State Ferries has halted all sailings on the Clinton-Mukilteo route while the Coast Guard conducts a search-and-rescue operation for a body that was sighted in the waters off Mukilteo.

Ferry officials had said earlier Thursday that the report of a body in the water was bogus.

Shortly after noon, WSF said all service on the route has been stopped until the search operation is over.

Joy Goldenberg, communications manager for Washington State Ferries, declined to answer questions about the report of a body, though she had said earlier Thursday the account was false.

Goldenberg said ferry workers launched two rescue boats after an unmanned boat was found on the Clinton-Mukilteo sailing route.

"We secured the skiff and our part in this has ended," she said.

The 9:30 a.m. sailing from Clinton was delayed for 20 minutes. The ferry M/V Kitsap was diverted to Edmonds where Clinton travelers were dropped off.

The Coast Guard said its Seattle office received a report at 9:43 a.m. that said two people had spotted a body in the water, and the body was described as wearing a tan coat, blue pants and black sneakers.

Coast Guard officials also said Air Station Port Angeles launched an HH-65C Dolphin helicopter to search for the body, but the crew did not find anything.

A dive team from Snohomish County and Tulalip Fish & Wildlife personnel are assisting with the search.

The Coast Guard Cutter Terrapin is under way to support the search effort, officials said.

Some drivers waiting in line for the Clinton ferry have given up waiting for ferry service to resume, and were seen turning around on Highway 525 to leave Whidbey Island across Deception Pass.