Emergency services were called out after reports that a dog walker was stuck off the coast of St Bees.
Whitehaven and Maryport Coastguard Rescue Teams, Workington RNLI and St Bees RNLI were called out on Tuesday afternoon to St Bees South Head.
The Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public who reported they had been informed of a dog walker out on the rocks below the South Head and possibly in danger.
With an incoming tide, strong winds and rough rolling seas, St Bees RNLI shore crew swiftly joined by Coastguard Rescue Officers set about searching the rocky shoreline below the headland.
Coastguards were deployed with the ability to conduct a Snatch Water Rescue should a casualty be found in the water, whilst an evacuation stretcher was readied for evacuation of any casualties located. At the same time, routine access routes for if we should be required to conduct a rope rescue from the headland for any trapped casualty were confirmed.
Meanwhile, St Bees RNLI which was berthed at Whitehaven Marina, due to the heavy sea state and dark conditions at the end of a call out the night before) were racing to get their craft around the coast to the scene, along with Workington RNLI.
Coastal searches had concluded as far and as safe as possible around the headland, just before the lifeboats arrived on scene to conduct a search from sea.
A member of the public confirmed they had seen and spoken to the first informant and had also seen a person and dog leaving the rocks and beach at that time.
The search continued, while other Coastguard officers tried to piece together the details and make attempts to liaise with the first informant, as it became apparent that the 999 call had been raised third hand.
With the searches complete and more information from witnesses, all emergency services were stood down.
A Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team spokesman said: “Raising the alarm as soon as possible in these types of instances is crucial.
“Whilst we are grateful to our informant, we would urge anyone who sights something they believe to be of concern at the coast to please report it directly themselves to the Coastguard.
“This allows our call handlers to glean first hand all the necessary details and provides a clear point of contact for our officer in charge on the ground to liaise with. In turn, this ensures a much more focused and efficient search and/or rescue plan.”
