The lifeboat crew was paged after a windsurfer ran into the shop at the boathouse to report that another windsurfer was in difficulties. He had been seen waving for help off the harbour, but was now out of sight, having been carried by the wind and tide somewhere off the Long Beach.

The lifeboat launched and began to search between the Long Beach and Tankerton, whilst the Herne Bay Mobile Coastguard unit kept a visual lookout from ashore.

However after a few minutes it was reported that the casualty had been able to reach the shore, so the lifeboat returned to station.