COASTGUARD carried out searches late on Thursday night following reports of a red flare sighting near Highcliffe.
The Southbourne Coastguard team was called out shortly before 10.45pm on January 7.
Searches were carried out in freezing fog conditions but nothing was found following the initial reported sighting near the Cliffhanger cafe.
A spokesperson for the team said: "Tasked at 10.43pm hours by the national maritime operations centre to reports of a red flare sighting near Highcliffe.
"Once on scene we conducted hasty searches in the area for anyone in difficulties.
"We also conducted a hasty search near Mudeford Quay. With nothing found at either location we stood down and returned to station."
Red flares are typically recognised as distress signals for maritime purposes.
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