Douglas all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary was launched to assist in a search off Laxey.

The crew of the Ben-my-Chree, returning to Douglas from Heysham yesterday morning (Friday), had reported to the Coastguard receipt of a signal from a radar search and rescue transponder (SART).

Douglas lifeboat, under the command of deputy second coxswain Tony Radcliffe 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 that vessel.

On advice from the Coastguard, the Douglas lifeboat began an expanding pattern search of the area at just after 8.30am.

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.