Advisory
Police Request Assistance For At Risk Missing Person
Incident Summary:
On Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at approximately 7:14 PM, the Petaluma Police Department received a call from a family member of George Ferguson’s, wanting to report him missing.
The reporting party told Officers that Ferguson had recently purchased a 30-foot Islander Sailboat, named “Bianca”, and began living on it. The reporting party stated that Ferguson would contact her almost daily to update her on his location.
The reporting party told officers that on August 18, 2023, Ferguson contacted her and told her that his boat had run aground near Alcatraz Island and he had to be assisted by the United Stated Coast Guard to free the boat. Ferguson indicated to the reporting party he would be sailing toward Petaluma. The reporting party stated she had not heard from Ferguson since that time and his phone was off. She stated Ferguson suffers from cognitive medical issues and she was also worried due to his limited boating experience.
Officers contacted the United Stated Coast Guard and confirmed that they had in fact assisted Ferguson on August 18, 2023. Ferguson was last seen in the area of Alcatraz Island in San Pablo Bay.
At the request of the Petaluma Police Department, the United Stated Coast Guard has attempted several times to hail Ferguson via a maritime radio, without any response. They also conducted a search of surrounding harbors without success.
Officers were able to locate photos of a boat similar to Fergusons and a California drivers license photo of him (pictured above). Ferguson is described as a 67-year-old, white male. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall, has brown hair and green eyes.
If anyone has seen Ferguson or his boat, we ask that you immediately contact the Petaluma Police Department at 707-762-2727 and reference case 23-3703.
Media inquiries maybe directed to Sergeant Jake Gutierrez at [email protected] or phone 707-778-4532.
Police Request Assistance For At Risk Missing Person 
Press Release
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Issued By:
Sergeant Jake Gutierrez, Petaluma PD, (707) 778-4532, jgutierrez@cityofpetaluma.org
On Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at approximately 7:14 PM, the Petaluma Police Department received a call from a family member of George Ferguson’s, wanting to report him missing.
The reporting party told Officers that Ferguson had recently purchased a 30-foot Islander Sailboat, named “Bianca”, and began living on it. The reporting party stated that Ferguson would contact her almost daily to update her on his location.
The reporting party told officers that on August 18, 2023, Ferguson contacted her and told her that his boat had run aground near Alcatraz Island and he had to be assisted by the United Stated Coast Guard to free the boat. Ferguson indicated to the reporting party he would be sailing toward Petaluma. The reporting party stated she had not heard from Ferguson since that time and his phone was off. She stated Ferguson suffers from cognitive medical issues and she was also worried due to his limited boating experience.
Officers contacted the United Stated Coast Guard and confirmed that they had in fact assisted Ferguson on August 18, 2023. Ferguson was last seen in the area of Alcatraz Island in San Pablo Bay.
At the request of the Petaluma Police Department, the United Stated Coast Guard has attempted several times to hail Ferguson via a maritime radio, without any response. They also conducted a search of surrounding harbors without success.
Officers were able to locate photos of a boat similar to Fergusons and a California drivers license photo of him (pictured above). Ferguson is described as a 67-year-old, white male. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall, has brown hair and green eyes.
If anyone has seen Ferguson or his boat, we ask that you immediately contact the Petaluma Police Department at 707-762-2727 and reference case 23-3703.
Media inquiries maybe directed to Sergeant Jake Gutierrez at [email protected] or phone 707-778-4532.
Address/Location
Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd N
Petaluma, CA 94952
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-778-4372
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP PETPD followed by your message, to 888777
