Missing beacon triggers search involving CIAS plane

A TRAWLER'S emergency beacon sparked a full-scale sea search yesterday morning, including the Channel Islands Air Search plane, the Lion's Pride.

But it turned out to be a false alarm.

The 12-metre shellfish trawler, Milton II, lost its beacon at sea just after 5am.

Cross Corsen maritime rescue co-ordination centre spokesman Yann Bouvart said the boat's owner had a problem with his VHF radio, so rescue services could not get in contact with him.

He added that the vessel was also not fishing in its usual area.

Cross Corsen scrambled a naval helicopter, two lifeboats and Lion's Pride.