Immediately after having launched on exercise, the lifeboat was requested to assist the oyster yawl Emmeline, which had gone aground the previous night between the Sand End Buoy and Shell Ness in the Swale. Due to the size of the craft (45ft in length, 18.5 tons) Sheerness Lifeboat was also proceeding.

Whitstable Lifeboat arrived on scene and tried to tow the Emmeline off the sand, but she would not move, due to insufficient depth of water. The lifeboat was therefore released to continue on exercise, and Sheerness Lifeboat was also stood down, as the tide would have dropped even further before she arrived.

The Emmeline later refloated successfully without assistance the following night.