The RNLI Douglas all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary was launched on Friday (17 November) under the command of Deputy Second Coxswain Tony Radcliffe to assist in a search off Laxey.
The crew of the MV Ben-my-Chree, returning to Douglas from Heysham, had reported to the Coastguard receipt of a signal from a radar search and rescue transponder (SART).
The Douglas lifeboat made its way towards the estimated position of the origin of the SART signal just off Laxey. There was a fishing boat in the immediate vicinity but a quick radio conversation between lifeboat and fishing boat crews confirmed all was well on the fishing boat.
At 8.33am on advice from the Coastguard the Douglas lifeboat commenced an expanding pattern search of the area. At 10.15am with nothing found or seen and in the absence of any further distress signals the lifeboat crew were stood down to return to Douglas.
Photo - Douglas lifeboat Sir William Hillary launching on Friday. Courtesy of RNLI/Michael Howland.
