Whilst already afloat on a training exercise, Thames Coastguard requested Whitstable Lifeboat to proceed immediately to Herne Bay, following reports of two people in the water,  being swept towards rocks.

On arrival one person was found to have made his way ashore, whilst another was on the rocks on Herne Bay harbour breakwater, attempting to recover a canoe.

A crewman was put into the water to assist him and, once the canoe was recovered clear of the water, the lifeboat entered Herne Bay harbour to collect the crewman in a more sheltered location.

The lifeboat then returned to its previous exercise. 

It transpired that the two people had been canoeing together, when one got into difficulties. The other, more experienced canoeist, then also got into difficulties whilst attempting to assist the first.