Newcastle and Kilkeel RNLI respond to false alarm after EPIRB signal detected
Newcastle and Kilkeel RNLI’s inshore lifeboats joined a multi-agency search operation yesterday morning (Thursday 23 April) after an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indication Radio Beacon) signal was detected off the County Down coast.
The volunteer crews were requested to launch their lifeboats by Belfast Coastguard at approximately 10am and search between Newcastle and Kilkeel for any vessels in distress. Both crews carried out search patterns whilst maintaining a watch on their directional finders for any signals from the EPIRB. The Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 936, from Wales was also tasked.
During this time, searches were also carried out on shore by Kilkeel, Newcastle and Portaferry Coastguard teams who subsequently located the EPIRB within the Kilkeel area. When it was deemed that no one was in distress, the call out was declared a false alarm and all units were stood down.
Speaking following the call out, Newcastle RNLI Helm Locky Leneghan said: ‘This proved to be a false alarm this morning but as always we would much rather launch and find that no one is in difficulty, than not launch at all.
‘We would encourage anyone using an EPIRB which can be a lifesaving piece of equipment, to choose a GPS enabled one and to ensure it is registered to the vessel in use.’
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