Thames Coastguard requested the lifeboat to launch to assist a 33' yacht reported aground on the Pollard Spit, 2 miles north west of Whitstable, at the entrance to the Swale.

On arrival the lifeboat found the yacht half a mile SSW of the Pollard Spit Buoy, beam on to the seas. A crewman was put on board, a towline passed, and the lifeboat was able to tow the yacht off the sand bank into deeper water.

In view of the weather conditions, the crewman remained on board whilst the lifeboat escorted the yacht, and the two other yachts that had been sailing with it in company, into the Swale.

Once it was established that all was well, the crewman was recovered, and the lifeboat returned to station.