Scarborough RNLI and Coastguard search for distressed vessel

The joint operation was triggered by an emergency locator beacon

Author: Karen LiuPublished 6th Oct 2021

Scarborough RNLI and the coastguard helicopter searched for a vessel in distress last night.

The joint operation was triggered by an emergency locator beacon.

The emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) is a portable, battery-powered radio transmitter used in emergencies to locate planes, vessels and people in distress and in need of immediate rescue.

In an emergency, such as a ship sinking or a plane crashing, the device is activated and begins transmitting a continuous radio signal which is used by search-and-rescue teams to quickly locate the emergency and render aid.

Such a signal was picked up by the coastguard, which triggered the deployment of the all-weather Shannon lifeboat and helicopter. They searched an area off Cayton Bay, but the signal stopped and the emergency services were stood down.

The tide was high, with insufficient room on the beach to land the Shannon so it was moored in the harbour for a couple of hours before being rehoused.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.