The question around Lighthouse Park on Sunday was whether the pilot on a seaplane that ran out of gas had gambled and lost while trying to fly from Reno, Nevada, and Friday Harbor.

Or, some suggested, perhaps he had been “shorted” in Reno when he supposedly filled up his gas tank there.

Either way, the unidentified pilot and his female passenger were able to make a safe landing just off Lighthouse Park.

Realizing he didn’t have enough fuel to make it to Friday Harbor, the pilot aimed for Paine Field, officials said.

But when the twin-engine floatplane started to sputter, he chose a safer option, a water landing by the park’s boat launch.

One of the Mukilteo-Clinton ferries stopped to offer assistance, as did a private boater, before police officers from Mukilteo and Everett and officials from Paine Field arrived.

Given some gas, the couple took off again for Friday Harbor, with a stop at Paine Field to fill up the tank. This time, assuredly, they got their money’s worth.