Whitstable Lifeboat was launched after a sailing dinghy with sails set was seen drifting with nobody onboard off Hampton, Herne Bay.

The lifeboat crew investigated the craft, and Thames Coastguard reported that the craft had been stolen sometime during the night from the beach at Shellness on the Isle of Sheppey.

The lifeboat left the dinghy moored at Hampton and along with the R.A.F Helicopter from Wattisham conducted an extensive search of the Swale and the area towards Herne Bay, for a possible man overboard.

The Sheppey and Herne Bay Mobile Coastguard Units made a full search of the shoreline and beaches but nothing was found.

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