A COASTGUARD team were deployed to near Dedham after reports of multiple distress flares being sighted.
Holbrook Coastguard Rescue Team headed towards the River Stour after receiving reports just before 7pm on Sunday evening.
After speaking with the informant to get more information and watching a video of the flares, they mapped out the bearings of the sighting and decided they had been set off near Dedham Bridge.
A spokesman for the rescue team said: "Though no sailing or motor vessels use this stretch of The Stour, the team decided to search the the river just in case a well equipped canoeist or paddle boarder was in trouble.
"At this point Felixstowe Coastguard Rescue Team joined us in order to complete the search more effectively and quickly.
"After searching to Flatford in one direction and to Stratford St Mary in the other, nothing was found and both teams were eventually stood down at 10pm.
"We still have no explanation for the flare sighting and are putting this down to a false alarm with good intent."
In the event of an emergency along our coastline or estuaries or in mud call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
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