Stock picture of former Herne Bay Pier Head – Courtesy RNLI Whitstable
The Whitstable Atlantic 85 lifeboat launched just after 1.00pm on Friday 17 September following a report of a kayaker struggling to return to the shore between the former Herne Bay pier head and the Kentish Flats wind farm.
The Herne Bay Coastguard Rescue Team and a coastguard helicopter were also sent to the scene.
The lifeboat arrived in the area and the crew commenced a wide area search and located the casualty after the coastguard rescue team onshore reported a sighting 2-miles north of Beltinge, the coastguard helicopter arriving just after the lifeboat arrived at the kayak’s position.
The 52-year old male casualty, who didn’t need any medical treatment, was brought onboard the lifeboat and wrapped in a thermal blanket and subsequently landed ashore along with his kayak at the Neptune Jetty and into the care of the coastguard team.
Weather conditions at the time of the incident were reported to be south-westerly force 2 winds with good visibility.