Old beacon at dump sparks Qld search

An extensive air and sea search off the coast of central Queensland has been sparked by an old beacon at a dump.

RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service deployed a chopper from Rockhampton at midday on Thursday when a beacon started emitting an emergency signal.

They searched Fitzroy River and near Great Keppel Island for an hour, later discovering the signal was coming from an old beacon at the Rockhampton tip.

RACQ spokeswoman Kirsty Wooler said several searches per year were sparked by haphazardly discarded beacons.

"Not only do these searches waste time and money, but they tie up resources," she said.

"It's a little disappointing when beacon owners don't live up to their end of the bargain by disposing of their unwanted and obsolete beacons correctly."

Beacons can be safely disposed of at battery stores or by maritime safety authorities.