A SEARCH and rescue operation for a windsurfer in distress has been stood down after nothing was found. 

Crosshaven RNLI and the Irish Naval Service swept a sea area south of Cork Harbour after a report was made of a windsurfer experiencing difficulty.

Emergency services were engaged at approximately 12pm after a call was received that a windsurfer may have been in trouble in the coastal area off Fountainstown and Myrtleville.

However, rescuers were stood down at around 3pm after nothing was found.

A spokesperson for Crosshaven RNLI said the search was concluded with a “false alarm with good intent” declared.

“We got reports of a windsurfer in trouble out of Rochespoint, off Myrtleville and Fountainstown,” the spokesperson said.

The Irish Naval Service ship LÉ James Joyce was involved in the search along with a private angling boat and the RNLI lifeboat Rescue 117.