A three hour search for a missing person off the coast of West Kirby was called off after it turned out to be a false alarm.
The Coastguard helicopter joined West Kirby lifeboat and Hoylake RNLI hovercraft after a member of the public thought they had seen a person in the water near the moorings at the sailing club shortly before teatime on Monday 16 June.
A West Kirby crew member spoke with a nearby sailor, who confirmed he had not seen anyone enter the water, apart from another individual walking between the shore and his moored boat. However, given the certainty of the original report, the Coastguard requested that West Kirby lifeboat continued searching between the moorings and Hilbre Island.
West Kirby RNLI’s launch vehicle was also deployed with additional crew to carry out a shoreline search towards the island and spotted an object in the water approximately one mile north east of the island.
The volunteer crew recovered a life ring from the water, but no other items or signs of a person were found.
The incident was declared a false alarm with good intent, and is believed to have been a sailor wading to his boat.
Richard Diamond, West Kirby RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, said: “This was a long shout and our thanks go to the crew and all the agencies involved for their teamwork and commitment during the search.
“While fortunately no one was found to be in difficulty, the member of the public did exactly the right thing by dialling 999 and asking for the Coastguard.
“If you see someone you think might be in trouble in or near the water, don’t hesitate to make that call – time can be critical. We’d always much rather launch to a false alarm with good intent than risk someone in danger being missed.”
Photo credits: West Kirby RNLI