Ditched aircraft was 'yacht sailing past'
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A REPORT today (June 29) that an aircraft had ditched in the sea off the Caithness/Sutherland coast turned out to be a false alarm.
A news source reported earlier this afternoon that a member of the public had seen what he thought was an aircraft in the sea between Dunbeath and Helmsdale.
A HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter along with Wick lifeboat were tasked to search the area but were later stood down and returned to their respective bases.
A HM Coastguard spokesman said that there was a report from a member of the public that they'd seen an aircraft ditch in the sea. "It turned out to be a yacht sailing past so it was a case of mistaken identity," he added.
"We did task units to investigate. The gentleman involved was quite elderly. It was a bit hard to work out the credibility of his call but we take everything at face value when it first comes in.
"On investigation we were quite comfortable that he'd sighted a yacht sailing past."
