Whitby lifeboat called to search operation 58 miles off Whitby coast after aircraft activates beacon
Whitby’s all-weather lifeboat Lois Ivan was called out on a search operation 58 miles north east of Whitby after a beacon was activated from an aircraft.
The beacon, which usually indicates an aircraft emergency, was activated off Whitby at around 12.15am this morning (June 17).
The location took almost two hours to reach, with Lois Ivan going at full speed to get there.
The volunteer crew began a parallel track search, searching up and down in five-mile long tracks.
Two HM Coastguard helicopters searched the area from above.
After around an hour-and-a-half of searching, and with nothing found, all parties were stood down and the lifeboat began the two-hour trip back to Whitby.
Richard Dowson, coxswain on the call-out, said: “It was a long night at sea for our volunteers but it is what we train to do.
"They still had a smile on their faces this morning as they helped wash the boat down and get it ready to go back on service.”