Porthcawl RNLI’s volunteer crew were paged by HM Coastguard following a report that a micro light may have ditched into the sea off Porthcawl seafront opposite the Atlantic Hotel.

The charity’s Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Rose of the Shires was launched on service and made best speed to the area of the incident.

Once on scene the crew conducted a search of the area in fading light and quickly located a large inflatable dalmatian helium balloon floating in the area the sighting had been reported. Porthcawl Coastguard and Port Talbot Coastguard were ashore with the first informant and it was confirmed that the lifeboat was in the location in which the first informant had seen the object come down into the sea.

The crew were stood down from the incident with the call being a false alarm with good intent. The first informant did the right thing by reporting their concerns to the Coastguard.

In a coastal emergency dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

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