The lifeboat was launched to assist a catamaran, believed to be in difficulties, off Shellness, Isle of Sheppey. The lifeboat began searching from Shellness to the Ham Gat buoy, and an RAF Sea King helicopter from Wattisham also joined the search.

At 1750 coastguards ashore at Shellness saw a yacht which may have been the vessel in question, and the lifeboat went to investigate. As the lifeboat came alongside, the crew were informed that a female on board had been knocked overboard by the boom, and although she had been recovered from the water, had suffered a head injury. She was brought aboard the lifeboat, and landed ashore to an ambulance at Harty Ferry.

Meanwhile the helicopter continued the search for the catamaran, but nothing untoward was found.