Emergency alert in WA was stray dinghy

A marine search and rescue operation has been aborted in Western Australia after an emergency beacon was activated in a dinghy that broke from his mooring.

A marine search is under way off the coast of WA after an emergency beacon was activated. (AAP)

A rescue search off the coast of Western Australia has been suspended after it was discovered that an emergency beacon was activated when a dinghy broke from its mooring.

Police said an EPIRB was activated at 3.50am on Friday near Cape Leveque in the Kimberley region.

It sparked a marine search, while locals from a nearby resort scoured the coastline.

But at about 12.30pm, police said the search had been called off and all people concerned had been accounted for.

Police found an upturned dinghy after it broke from its mooring and it is believed that the EPIRB which was inside was activated.