The lifeboat was launched following a call to Thames Coastguard from a member of the public who had seen a hot air balloon ditch into the sea approximately 3 miles north of Hampton Pier.

Nothing was seen when the lifeboat arrived at that position, so an expanding square search was commenced, looking for people or debris in the water.

After an extensive search nothing was found, and the lifeboat returned to station.

It is believed that the object the first informant saw landing in the sea may have seen a chinese lantern fairly close to shore, which they mistook for a balloon much further out.