Bembridge RNLI and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175 were tasked to an incident involving a Personal Locator Beacon earlier today (Thursday).
RNLB Alfred Albert Williams (Tamar All-Weather Lifeboat (ALB) 16-17) was launched on service at 11:58 at the request of the UK (Solent Coastguard) to investigate an activated Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) omitting a signal around the Hayling Island area.
Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175 was also on the scene to assist in the search.
The ALB and Helicopter both performed an expanding search using the PLB’s signal to home in on its location.
Whilst this was going on the Lifeboat Station and UK Coastguard were trying to track down the owners of the device to ascertain how this device got there as no boats/casualties were reported in distress.
Sea conditions were reasonable (WSW F2) so they were able to begin their search promptly. After a search of 30 minutes, the owner was located and reported the device has been missing for a while and no one should be using it.
Once the Coastguard confirmed it was a false alarm, all search and rescue units were stood down.
The ALB and her crew returned to Bembridge at 13:50.
Why didn’t the owner cancel the PLB???? plonker…
“After a search of 30 minutes, the owner was located and reported the device has been missing for a while and no one should be using it“
Pays to read the article before commenting.