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A massive search and rescue mission was launched after a mysterious distress signal was heard near Merseyside.
Shortly before midnight Tuesday, five lifeboats, Coast Guard search and rescue teams and a helicopter were deployed in Liverpool Bay.
The rescue mission began when a distress beacon alert sparked a major multi-agency search.
For the next six hours, until the early hours of the morning, crews searched from Hoylake to Great Orme, including the Dee Estuary.
At around 6 a.m., the Coast Guard concluded the search and all assets were removed.
It is still unclear where the distress signal came from.
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An RNLI spokesperson said: “Five RNLI lifeboats from Hoylake, Flint, Rhyl and Llandudno were commissioned to survey a wide area of Liverpool Bay from Hoylake to the Great Orme, including the Dee Estuary.
“The Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter based at St Athan in South Wales and Coast Guard Rescue Teams (CRTs) from Wirral, Flint and Rhyl were also deployed to assist.
“Hoylake RNLI’s Shannon-Class All-Weather Lifeboat Edmund Hawthorn Micklewood and his volunteer crew plunged into the dark but clear night and tried to locate the distress signal using the DF equipment on the lifeboat.
“As the signal was not clear and intermittent, the Coast Guard asked the lifeboats and the helicopter to follow the search patterns at sea while the CRTs searched the coast.
(Image: RNLI / Hoylake RNLI)
“The Hoylake RNLI lifeboat conducted extensive searches overnight around the mouth of the Dee estuary, between the Burbo Bank wind farm turbines and beyond in Liverpool Bay.
“The crew used searchlights and radars to try to identify possible victims.
“However, after nearly six hours of searching without finding anything, the Coast Guard concluded the search and all assets were removed.
“The Hoylake RNLI lifeboat returned to the station to be washed, refueled and ready for service again at 8.15am.”
Hoylake RNLI Coxswain Andy Dodd said: “ It was a long night for the lifeboat and helicopter crews, as well as the Coast Guard officers, but by working together we were able to conduct a comprehensive search over a large area to deal with to locate the source of the distress signal. ‘
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“The RNLI advises owners of distress beacons, such as a personal locator beacon (PLB) or an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), to make sure it is registered with the Coast Guard to help them identify you and contact you in case of emergency.
“While the origin of the distress signal was not established in this case, the coordinated and dedicated effort of various RNLI stations in conjunction with the Coast Guard Rescue Teams is a testament to the commitment of RNLI volunteers and their colleagues. from the emergency service who remain on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and will leave everything when the pager rings to save lives at sea. “
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