Nigel Millard/RNLISearches have been made off the Western Isles after a report of an activated distress beacon.
The coastguard said it believed the beacon to be about 64 miles (103km) north west of the Butt of Lewis.
The alarm was raised at about 01:30.
Stornoway RNLI lifeboat and a coastguard helicopter have been involved in the search effort.
