The lifeboat was launched to assist a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) that had gone aground on a falling tide off Fowley Island, in the Swale. 

The craft was already anchored, and the three occupants asked to be landed ashore (not wishing to stay aboard for the ten hours until they would refloat). However, whilst they were being transferred, Thames CG requested the lifeboat proceed immediately to Leysdown , where reports were coming in of an inflatable with a child on board being blown offshore, and someone swimming out to try and assist.

With the three occupants of the RIB safely onboard, the lifeboat headed for Leysdown and located the drifting inflatable with a young boy onboard and his father who had swam out in an attempt to rescue his son about ¾ of a mile offshore.

The father and son were then landed ashore at Leysdown.

The lifeboat then returned to Whitstable, and landed the three occupants of the RIB from the original incident.