The lifeboat  was launched  after a report from the Coastguard of a motor cruiser adrift after slipping its moorings off Harty Ferry in the Swale.

The occupants of the motor cruiser had left their craft to visit another vessel following which their craft was discovered to have gone adrift.

There was concern that the drifting vessel would be a hazard to navigation.

The lifeboat crew  eventually spotted what turned out to be the missing vessel aground on the north side of the Horse Sand.

Crewmember Alex Stevens went ashore in an attempt to reach the craft and confirm its identity however a channel prevented him from getting any closer than 200 yards from the stranded cruiser.

The lifeboat attempted to approach the craft from the northern side of the sandbank but there was insufficient water and the lifeboat returned to pick up its crewmember before returning to station, coastguards being satisfied that this was the missing vessel and nothing further could be done.

The lifeboat being washed down on its return. Click on picture to enlarge.