The Killaloe Coastguard Unit is urging the owners of air and sea craft – which are equipped with distress radio beacons, to ensure they’re stored correctly.
It issued the warning after such a signal was detected in the East Clare area last Wednesday evening, sparking an eight hour search by the Coastguard Helicopter for a possible plane or vessel in difficulty.
The beacons or E-PIRBS are activated after they become submerged in water – however they can go off if they are exposed to damp conditions over a period of time or their batteries become degraded.
After carrying out over eight hours of coastal searches both Wednesday evening and again Thursday morning the Coastguard helicopter traced three beacons to the O’Briens Bridge area and the search was stood down.
Killaloe Coast Guard spokesman David Tighe is urging people who may have one of these beacons to ensure they are in working order.
