An accidental radio alert triggered the launch of Cowes RNLI lifeboat earlier today (Saturday).
Solent Coastguard requested the launch of the lifeboat at 11:41 after a distress signal was traced to a boat in Cowes Harbour.
After launching, the lifeboat and her volunteer crew tracked the signal to a 57ft motor cruiser which was by then in Cowes Yacht Haven.
It was soon discovered that there was no on-board emergency and that the DSC alert had been transmitted by mistake.
The lifeboat returned to station at 12:30.
The owners should make a decent donation to cover the costs of the false alarm.
I agree. The modern VHF DSC radios have a flap that covers the distress button, so you would have to purposefully lift the flap and then press the button – hardly accidental! But of course, we don’t know if there were children on board who were ‘playing’ with it.