The lifeboat was launched following a report from a yacht on passage from Faversham Creek to Brightlingsea that they had seen a jet-ski disappear in the centre of the Kentish Flats Wind Farm.

Whilst heading for the scene the lifeboat crew spoke to another yacht north of the Street Buoy who reported not seeing anything. Later the lifeboat crew spoke to the informant on the first yacht who said that they had seen the craft for only 15-20 seconds through binoculars.

The lifeboat then proceeded to the Wind Farm Guard Boat Sirocco and the two vessels commenced a search of the area, being joined later by the RAF Sea King Helicopter from Wattisham, the Margate Lifeboat and the second wind farm guard boat Blue Wind.

The visibility during the search was excellent however after an extensive search lasting over three hours which also involved Police and Coastguards at Herne Bay and on Sheppey making enquiries onshore, the operation was called off and put down to a false alarm with good intent.

During the search Whitstable lifeboat located a small fishing vessel near to the wind farm and it is possible that this was the craft that might have been seen by the yacht.

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