Barrow RNLI was called out after an emergency beacon went off near an off-shore wind turbine.
The volunteer crew were called on Monday at around 2.10pm and launched their all-weather lifeboat, Grace Dixon.
The emergency beacon had been activated near to one of the turbines at the Walney offshore wind farm.
Under the command of coxswain Jonny Long, assisted by a crew of six, the lifeboat headed for the location of the beacon, which was being picked up as around 12 miles west of Walney Lighthouse.
The crew were instructed to conduct a search of the area to try and locate the beacon and, potentially, a person in the water.
Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 936, was also tasked to attend the scene and assist with the search.
However, shortly after 4pm, with nothing having been found and no reports of anyone missing, the search was called off and the crews stood down.
The incident may have been the result of an accidental activation.
The lifeboat returned to the Boathouse at Roa Island at 5pm.
