Lowestoft’s RNLI retrieved something “suspicious” from the Suffolk Coast after multiple reports that it could be a person in difficulty.

Eastern Daily Press: The RNLI Lifeboat responding to a suspicious black object floating in the water off Kessingland. Photo: RNLI LowestoftThe RNLI Lifeboat responding to a suspicious black object floating in the water off Kessingland. Photo: RNLI Lowestoft (Image: Archant)

Yesterday at 11am a Lowestoft lifeboat, HM coastguard rescue teams and police officers were mobilised after concerned residents raised the alarm near Kessingland beach.

But the lifeboat coxswain, John Fox, said that the “dark shape floating close to the shore” was actually a tent.

He said: “When we reached the location we soon spotted a dark shape floating close to the shore and found that it was in fact a small abandoned black tent.

“Our volunteer crew used a boathook to recover the tent to prevent any further calls. It was a case of a false alarm with good intent.”

Eastern Daily Press: The RNLI Lifeboat responding to a suspicious black object floating in the water off Kessingland. It turned out to be an abandoned black tent. Photo: RNLI LowestoftThe RNLI Lifeboat responding to a suspicious black object floating in the water off Kessingland. It turned out to be an abandoned black tent. Photo: RNLI Lowestoft (Image: Archant)

He added: “We continued to check the waters’ edge as far as Benacre to ensure this was the only reason for the report.”

But as they were returning to shore, the ‘Patsy Knight’ lifeboat was soon redirected to search for a missing man thought to be in North Denes, Gunton or Corton.

The search, involving a fire service drone, police and HM coastguard teams, was shortly called off after police located the man safe and well in Carlton Colville.