THE distress signal from a scrapped personal locator beacon on the River Dee prompted a search by Hoylake Lifeboat.
The signal, transmitted from the Bagillt Bank area on the west side of the River Dee, was detected by the UK Coastguard, who informed Hoylake.
The Inshore Rescue hovercraft Hurley Spirit and its crew launched from Hoylake and sped to the area to commence a "keyhole"search across the estuary.
Flint and Wirral coastguard rescue teams and the search and rescue helicopter based at Caernarfon were also sent to the area.
The helicopter reported the beacon's location to be inland at Bagillt in Flintshire.
Hovercraft crew member David Mackenzie said: "An accidental activation can trigger a search and rescue from the emergency services, potentially diverting lifesaving assets from genuine emergencies and putting lives at risk."
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