Mayday Call Sparks Moray Firth Search

A mayday call sparked a major search on the Moray Firth yesterday.

A team of seven, from the Invergordon RNLI launched the All-weather Trent Class Lifeboat at 4.20pmto undertake an extensive search of the Inner Moray Firth.

The Mayday call, which is an emergency procedure word, used internationally as a distress signal, was picked up by Aberdeen Coastguard on Channel 16, originating from the Rosemarkie Transmitter area.

The lifeboat began a search co-ordinated by Aberdeen Coastguard, which covered the Cromarty Firth to Nairn, searching extensively to Whiteness Point before across to Channory and Rosemarkie Bay back to the entrance of the Sutors.

The search continued for approximately 90 minutes before the crew were stood down and returned to base having found nothing.

Lifeboat Coxswain Andrew Murray advised “The word “Mayday” is a internationally known and used as a distress signal when spoken or transmitted to draw attention to a life threatening emergency. When heard it can not be taken lightly”