South Shields coastguard called out after emergency transmitter sends distress call accidentally from Marsden garage

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South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade were called to reports of an EPIRB activation – a type of emergency locator beacon used in emergencies to locate airplanes, vessels, and persons in distress and in need of immediate rescue – south of the river Tyne at 4.46pm yesterday (Tuesday, May 17).

The rescue team conducted a coastal search to try and locate any persons or vessels in distress following the call from the battery-powered radio transmitter.

Officers then we received information that the EPIRB had been accidentally activated in someone's garage in the Marsden area.

The transmitter was accidentally activated from a garage in Marsden.

The team stood down and returned to the station.

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A South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade spokesperson said: “The team were tasked by Humber Coastguard to reports of an EPIRB activation south of the river Tyne. Supporting Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat the team conducted a coastal search to try to get eyes on any persons or vessels in distress.

“After a short while we received word that the EPIRB had been accidentally activated in someone's garage in the Marsden area. Following on from this information the team stood down and returned to station.

“An emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) is a type of emergency locator beacon, a portable, battery-powered radio transmitter used in emergencies to locate airplanes, vessels, and persons in distress and in need of immediate rescue.

“Remember for all coastal emergencies dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.”