Following a report of an inflatable dinghy with three children aboard drifting out to sea off West Beach, Whitstable, Thames CG requested the lifeboat to launch. It was felt that they would be unable to return to the beach without assistance, especially as they only had one oar.

The children and the dinghy were picked up a quarter of a mile offshore, and landed back to the boathouse, where they were handed over to Herne Bay Mobile Coastguard Unit.

The picture shows Bob Blackburn, Coastguard Sector Manager, with the dinghy. Click to enlarge.