Debris found in the water sparked a major search with the border force and even foreign navy ships involved.
The sea near Hastings was a swarm of activity this morning as helicopters, planes and ships scoured the water for people and debris from a pleasure vessel.
But after hours of searching, the debris was identified as being from a sailboat which washed ashore at Seaford Head last month.
The alarm was raised at around 8.45am after parts of a vessel were spotted floating in the water around seven miles off the coast of Hastings.
The Hastings all-weather lifeboat launched and a Border Force ship also made its way to the scene.
A coastguard helicopter and plane circled overhead looking for any signs of life in the water. Passing vessels were told to keep a lookout on the decks.
Finnish Navy minelayer FNS Uusimma was en route to Cadiz in Spain when it got involved in the search, its crew looking out either side.
The search location was just north of the busy westbound channel shipping corridor, where hundreds of ships pass between northern Europe and the east of the UK towards the Atlantic.
However the search was stood down just after noon when investigations found the debris to be from a boat which ran aground at Seaford in April.
A Coastguard spokesman said: "HM Coastguard responded to a report of parts of a pleasure vessel found in waters south of Hastings.
"The alarm was raised at about 8.45am on 9 May. A HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft were sent, as well as the RNLI's all-weather lifeboat from Hastings. Nearby vessels also assisted.
"The operation was stood down after investigations found the parts were from a sailing vessel that went aground at Seaford Head on 19 April.
"Both people on board made it to land safe and well."
Two people were pulled from the water last month after the yacht got into difficulty and grounded at the base of the cliffs.
Border Force officers were at the scene but no statement was released on their involvement.
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