Port St Mary lifeboat was called out yesterday (Sunday) to an unusual incident.

The alarm was raised at 9.35am, when the signal from an electronic positioning device was picked up by coastguards in Liverpool.

The device was a type designed to start transmitting when a vessel has capsized.

However, when the Gough Ritchie II reached the source of the signal, south west of Chicken Rock, lifeboatmen found a surprised fishing crew who weren't in any trouble.

The device on the Maureen Patricia had developed a fault which the fishermen hadn't noticed, and had started transmitting the rogue distress signal.

The lifeboat crew was able to dismantle the beacon to prevent further confusion.