newsAugust 2, 2016 at 11:06 am

A major air and sea search was launched in Orkney this morning after a Mayday call was heard being broadcast over VHF radio.

A Coastguard statement said: “At 7.20am today a spoken word Mayday was heard on the Orkney VHF aerial on Channel 16. No more information was heard aside from Mayday.

“UK Coastguard immediately issued a relay broadcast to vessels in the area asking if they had heard the Mayday to ascertain the strength of the signal and what area it might have originated from.”

Based on the information received from vessels in the area, UK Coastguard concentrated their search efforts in the Scapa Flow area.

Stromness and Longhope RNLI lifeboats were sent to carry out a coastal search in the Scapa Flow area for any vessels that may be in difficulty.

Following an extensive search of the area the lifeboats were stood down at 10.35am and are now returning base.

Following further information from a fishing vessel in Kirkwall who heard the Mayday loud and clear, the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Sumburgh was sent to the Kirkwall and Shapinsay area to carry out a coastal search.
This part of the search remains ongoing this morning.