A Norwegian navy vessel helped the UK Coastguard carry out a search near Musselburgh after an emergency locater beacon was activated.
A search and rescue helicopter was also deployed during the incident on Monday evening.
However the search was stood down just before 7pm, as it emerged the personal beacon may have been activated accidentally during disposal at a recycling centre.
The KV Bergen, an Norwegian offshore patrol vessel, was visiting Edinburgh and diverted to help with the operation when the alarm was raised.
Locals in East Lothian and the east of Edinburgh reported hearing the aircraft flying overhead.
A spokesman for the UK Coastguard said: "We have been searching following the activation of a personal locater beacon. The area has been searched thoroughly.
"The last owner has been in contact, the activation may have been caused during a disposal operation."
