Coastguard call out sparked after fears for person in the sea off Seaham

Sunderland Coastguard Rescue Team was sent to Seaham Hall Car Park at 7.31am today, Tuesday, June 15, after concerns about an object which had been spotted off the shore.

After checks were called out, they were sure the item which had been sighted was a pot buoy, used by fishing crews to help them locate the pots they have dropped in the hope of a catch.

A spokesperson for the team said: "Coastguard Officers met with the first informant who was concerned it may be a person.

"We located the object and using binoculars and were able to confirm it was not a person.

"Satisfied there were no persons in distress, we were stood down, this was a false alarm with good intent.”

They added anyone reporting an emergency on the coast should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

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