The lifeboat launched following reports of an inflatable dinghy being blown out to sea 3/4 mile off Tankerton.

Although the dinghy was empty, and being blown over repeatedly by the wind, the first informant thought they had previously seen someone on board, and it was feared that they could now be in the water. 

The lifeboat carried out a search between Whitstable Street and Long Rock, from the beach out to a mile offshore. Meanwhile, Herne Bay Coastguards searched along the shoreline, speaking to members of the public on the beach to try to glean any further information, and to check that no one was missing.

After an hour, with nothing having been found, the search was terminated, and the lifeboat returned to station.