Newcastle RNLI launched a search off Newcastle Beach on Tuesday evening after members of the public reported seeing a small inflatable drifting out to sea. The volunteer crew launched the inshore D class lifeboat, Cameronian, at 6.35 pm following a request from Belfast Coastguard.
Conditions were warm and calm, with clear skies and a light offshore breeze.
Helm Locky Leneghan and crew members Danni Curley and Ciaran Leneghan quickly located the child's inflatable around half a mile offshore. As it was unaccompanied, they began searching the surrounding area for a possible casualty.
At the same time, Newcastle and Kilkeel Coastguard teams searched the shoreline and spoke with members of the public. Information gathered suggested the inflatable had been left on the beach earlier before drifting out to sea.
After completing a thorough search and finding no one in difficulty, the RNLI recovered the inflatable and brought it ashore. Belfast Coastguard stood the search down shortly before 8 pm.
Speaking after the call-out, RNLI Helm Locky Leneghan said: "This proved to be a false alarm with good intent, but the member of the public did the right thing in raising the alarm when they thought someone was in difficulty. A thorough search was carried out by our volunteers, and thankfully, in this instance, no one was in difficulty."
He added: "We would remind everyone that while inflatables can be fun, they are designed for the pool and not the beach, where they can be easily carried out to sea. If you do get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard."
