RNLI and Ben in lifeboat callout

Radar alert ends in relief

Officers on the Ben-my-Chree found themselves at the centre of a search and rescue operation earlier - which eventually transpired to be a false alarm.

The Steam Packet ferry received an emergency radar signal on its return crossing from Heysham this morning, and subsequently notified the Coastguard.

That prompted the RNLI to deploy its lifeboat Sir William Hillary.

A search of the area off Laxey confirmed the presence of nothing but a small fishing boat however, which was in no difficulty.

Crews were stood down a short time later.