The lifeboat launched following a report of an inflatable dinghy drifting seawards in the fresh breeze offshore from Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey.

The lifeboat crew located the dinghy and, as it had an outboard motor attached and fuel tank onboard, began a search of the immediate area. However, shortly afterwards it was confirmed that there had not been anyone aboard, and it had been pushed out to sea apparently during an attempted theft.

The dinghy was brought aboard the lifeboat, and landed ashore into the care of its owner, and Sheppey Coastguard.