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RNLI Longhope respond to EPIRB distress call

Lifeboats News Release

RNLI Longhope volunteer crew were paged at 8.35pm on 13 July and all weather lifeboat Helen Comrie was launched in response to a distress signal from an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) located near Burray.

RNLI/Andy Fellows

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The volunteer crew located the source of the signal and boarded a moored vessel where they were able to confirm that no one was in danger and that the EPIRB had been activated accidentally. The EPIRB was therefore deactivated and returned to its owner.


The Helen Comrie returned to Longhope at 10.20pm and was cleaned & refuelled ready for service.



Contrary to some former advice, if an EPIRB is activated accidentally it should be turned off immediately and the nearest MRCC or Coastguard contacted with your position and identity. This can avoid rescue call-outs that divert resources from those in distress. 


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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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