Thames Coastguard requested the lifeboat to launch  following reports of several inflatable dinghies being blown out to sea at Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey.

The lifeboat arrived on scene to find four identical 6' toy inflatable dinghies, each with a young male adult aboard, approximately one mile offshore. None had any paddles. They were not unduly concerned with their situation, but were all brought aboard the lifeboat, and landed ashore to be met by Sheppey Mobile Coastguard Team.

It was only as the lifeboat brought them back to the beach that they realised how far offshore they had actually been, having thought they would be able to reach the shore unaided.