A lifeboat crew and Coastguard rescue team were scrambled in the early hours of Tuesday morning after flares were seen over the Mearns.
HM Coastguard confirmed the shout was made with good intent but nothing was found by responders from Stonehaven at around midnight.
A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: “There were reports of red flares being sighted over Stonehaven.
“However the Stonehaven all-weather lifeboat and Coastguard team were unable to find any evidence of a vessel in trouble.”
Early reports indicated the flares may have been let off in the vicinity of Mackie Academy, but no evidence was found.
