RNLI warning after distress signal traced to bin

The device was found in a bin with its GPS antenna cut off

A warning has been issued by the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) after a distress signal was traced to a bin.

RNLI Jersey said the St Catherine's inshore lifeboat investigated the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) signal on Wednesday afternoon, which was positioned north of La Coupe Point.

It said a second signal was picked up from St Helier, before the EPIRB was found in a bin with its GPS antenna cut off, triggering a false alert.

The charity said: "Please dispose of EPIRBs responsibly. Remove the battery before discarding the device. It helps prevent unnecessary emergency callouts."