False alarm for Beer Coastguard as sun flashes are mistaken for SOS signal

A well-meaning member of the public didn't hesitate to raise the alarm when they saw what looked like a distress signal coming from a boat in the sea off Seaton.

Bright flashes of light appeared to be transmitting an SOS signal from the vessel on Saturday evening (September 4).

But when Beer Coastguard Rescue Team went to investigate, they found a different explanation.

A spokesman said: "All was well and the vessel was not in any difficulty.

"The sun was reflecting off the cabin windows making the person think it was signalling."

They described the incident as a 'false alarm with good intent'.