Major rescue attempt off Moray coastline ‘believed to be hoax’

A major rescue attempt to save a sinking vessel has been stood down after it was believed to be a hoax.

Coastguard teams from Burghead and Buckie alongside the RNLI Buckie Lifeboat, police teams and a HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter were called following a distress signal at around 7.40am this morning.

Nothing was found and the rescue was called off.

A statement said: “At 7.40am today HM Coastguard received a report of a vessel in difficulty near Lossiemouth. Coastguard rescue teams from Burghead and Buckie, RNLI Buckie Lifeboat, the HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and Police Scotland were sent.

Launched from Buckie, Grampian about twenty five minutes ago – https://t.co/MKAKoYMaqf

— RNLI: Out On A Shout (@outonashout) July 29, 2019

“Nothing was found and HM Coastguard teams have been stood down.”

A police spokeswoman said: “The operation was called off and is believed to be a hoax.”