A stray inflatable, which had blown free from a beach in Lochaber, drew the attention of an RNLI lifeboat, two Coastguard rescue teams and a search and rescue helicopter earlier today.
The alarm was raised around 2pm after the inflatable had been spotted in the water off Camusdarach Beach, with fears that a person may have fallen off and into danger in the water.
Mallaig lifeboat and Mallaig and Salen coast rescue teams were joined by Rescue 948 as a thorough sweep of the area was undertaken.
It was later established that the incident was a “false alarm with good intentions” after the owner of the inflatable was traced on land.
A coastguard spokeswoman confirmed the inflatable had reportedly drifted off from the nearby beach.
All teams were stood down shortly after 4pm.
Stray inflatable causes panic as rescue teams tasked to investigate
